VALLEY — The Valley Police Department is investigating a surge in car break-ins around the Fairfax neighborhood that occurred Monday night.

Eight reports of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle were recorded by the police department. Police Chief Tommy Weldon said that reports of the break-ins came in Tuesday morning, but that no damage was done to the vehicles.

“We had several reports Tuesday morning that the cars had been ransacked,” Weldon said. “They were all left unsecured so there were no windows busted out or anything like that. Someone apparently walked through the neighborhood opening car doors.”

Police aren’t certain when the break-ins occurred, but it was over the course of Monday night. Cars were broken in to on Denson Street, Francis Street, Range Street and Trammell Avenue in Valley.

Weldon said that most of the cars that were broken in to had nothing stolen from within and that the “only thing of significance” stolen was a pistol.

Weldon said that break-ins of this caliber, without damage done to the vehicle, are done out of opportunity rather than targeting.

“We encourage folks to not leave valuables in their vehicles and to lock them,” he said. “Occasionally someone will bust a window out but its usually when they see a valuable inside. They’re not trying to bring attention to themselves, they’re just looking for unlocked vehicles that they can go through without making any noise.”

He added that similar break-ins have been happening around the area, leading to a larger patrol presence from the department.

“Occasionally we will see a spike in it in a particular area,” he said. “That’s what’s going on now. Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen an increase and have had officers riding through the neighborhoods looking out for people out on foot during the night, looking suspicious or whatever it may be.”

He urged residents to stay vigilant and report any activity that may be related to vehicular break-ins.

Valley police are investigating the reports and following up with what information they have.

“Any leads we get, we will follow up on,” he said. “We have a serial number on the [stolen] pistol and will be checking our pawn shops in case it turns up anywhere. It’s entered in NCIC so if it shows up anywhere we will get a hit.”