Unlocked vehicles continue to be the target of 'bandits' prowling all of Barrington’s neighborhoods overnight.

Nine more vehicles were entered over the past few days in Barrington by thieves who rummaged through vehicles parked at homes on Briarwood Drive, Old Chimney Road, Nathaniel Road, Bowden Avenue, and New Meadow Road in Hampden Meadows, and at a home on Waseca Avenue in town center.

“We urge anyone who spots teenagers (or young men) on bikes or walking with flashlights to call the police,” said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross.

All of the larcenies or attempted larcenies are happening during the overnight hours, he said.

The Waseca Avenue incident actually resulted in a man and his son chasing a "young male with brown hair" and carrying a backpack at about 3:45 am early Tuesday. He was spotted in a vehicle in their driveway by the man’s wife.

Confronting a thief is at “the discretion of the homeowner,” said LaCross, because of the possibility of weapons. Providing as much information as possible to police about a thief's clothing and direction of travel is more important.

The would-be Waseca thief is believed to have used the East Bay Bike Path to make his getaway, LaCross said. A blue bicycle was left behind. He dumped it to run away on foot.

Patrol officers Joshua Melo and Walter Larson and Sgt. Gino Caputo responded and searched the area along the bike path leading to Warren, LaCross said. The only item found was the bicycle, which is believe to have been stolen.

The young man may have come from Warren, LaCross said. He was spotted earlier in the night by two fishermen on the bridge at Police Cove.

The man reportedly stole about $100 that was left in the unlocked vehicle.

Vehicles at two homes on Nathaniel Road and a home on Bowden Avenue were entered sometime in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 29, LaCross said. The thefts were reported between 10:30 and 11 am.

Two laptop computers, a brief case, and a GPS system were reported stolen, LaCross said.

Unlocked vehicles on Briarwood, Old Chimeny Road and New Meadow Road were reported entered early Monday morning, Oct. 1, the police chief said.

A flashlight and a pair of gloves were the only items reported stolen after the thief rummaged through the vehicles, LaCross said.