Police are investigating after several unlocked vehicles were unlawfully entered early Monday morning in Columbia and one such vehicle was stolen.

The areas hit by multiple suspects sometime between 4 and 4:30 a.m., according to police, were the Gedern Estates, Wernings, Wilson Hills and Briar Lake subdivisions off Rueck and Quarry roads.

It is believed 8-10 unlocked vehicles were entered, police said, with mostly loose change taken in addition to a purse and wallet. One unlocked garage was entered with two unlocked vehicles inside rummaged through.

A key was left in an unlocked black 2021 Kia K5 sedan, resulting in it being stolen from the 400 block of Wernings Drive. The stolen car was recovered Monday afternoon, abandoned elsewhere in city limits. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force was called in to assist in processing the recovered stolen car for evidence.

Police are looking at surveillance video footage as part of an investigation. Anyone with security video images or other information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 618-281-5151.

Police also reminded residents to lock their vehicle doors, garages and residences overnight.