Sioux Falls Police are investigating the thefts of two vehicles in the city.

Police Lieutenant Toby Benson says the vehicles were stolen Wednesday night.

"One of them was a vehicle that was warming up with keys in it. The other one---the keys were left in the compartment and located by the person that stole it."

Benson says the thefts could have been prevented.

"It's not a good idea to leave your car running with keys in it. If you can secure it, that's a step in the right direction. Even leaving your keys in the vehicle's compartment is a mistake. If someone goes through the vehicle looking for valuables---they will locate your keys and take the vehicle."

Aside from locking the car and taking the keys with you, Benson urges residents to avoid leaving personal property in the vehicle. The best way to attract a thief is to leave your purse or another high-value item in a highly visible area of your vehicle. If you must put something of value in your vehicle, keep it in the trunk or under the seats, where it is not visible to others.

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