Loose change was stolen from four unlocked cars in Shepparton overnight on Saturday.
Police said opportunistic thieves rummaged through the four vehicles in the Verney Rd area.
All four vehicles were parked either on the street or in driveways.
It comes after 64 unlocked vehicles were broken into in the past month in the Shepparton, Shepparton East, Mooroopna and Kialla areas, which police describe as a significant increase in this crime.
After Saturday’s thefts, Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Nathan Berryman has reminded people to ensure they lock their vehicles.
“Owners should make sure they don’t leave valuables in their car,” he said.
“And they should make sure their vehicles are secured — with windows up and the car locked.”