An overnight rash of car thefts or attempted thefts has prompted a warning from Birmingham police.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said there were two incidents between midnight and 8 a.m. Sunday where a KIA or a Hyundai was stolen. The thefts happened in the Roebuck and East Lake areas.

Additionally, he said, at least five other vehicles were damaged during attempted thefts.

No arrests have been announced.

At this time in 2023, there had been 359 thefts reported of those two types of vehicles for the year in Birmingham.

That included 236 stolen Hyundai vehicles and 123 Kia Motors vehicles.

Fitzgerald offered these tips:

– Invest in a steering wheel anti-theft lock.

– Park in the garage (if available)

– Face home cameras towards vehicles.

– Never confront a would-be car thief.