Multiple areas of Pullman were victim to a string of vehicle prowls Tuesday, according to Pullman Police reports.

The first incident was reported around 7 a.m. Tuesday morning on Crestview Street. This was the first in a string of six reported prowls in two hours, although they were spread out.

Penni Reavis, Pullman Police Support Systems manager, said that with so many students returning to Pullman for school, suspects have a large number of vehicles to prowl, making the number increase.

Reavis also said that the number of prowls tends to rise around holidays, as students leave town to visit friends and family.

There was a total of nine prowls reported Tuesday, with the other three occurring in the afternoon or evening hours.

Reavis said that people need to lock their cars to avoid falling victim to prowlers.

“Vehicle prowls and break-ins are typically crimes of convenience,” she said. “They’ll try cars, and if the doors are unlocked, they’re in.”

Most vehicles were either left alone, or were simply looked through with no theft taking place. One victim did report missing a gift card and a small amount of money from her vehicle.

Pullman also experienced vehicle prowls this summer, though they appeared to be unrelated, Reavis said. The summer incidents would usually occur in different areas on different nights, and usually did not occur multiple times in the same place.

“When the population suddenly increases by 16,000 people, the number of prowls tends to go up,” she said.

Reporting by Ian Smay