ROCKLAND – On Jan. 16, at approximately 2 a.m., a vehicle was reported to have just been stolen from a driveway on Ocean Street, according to a news release posted on the Rockland PD’s Facebook page.

Rockland Officers on patrol quickly located the vehicle nearby, at which point two juvenile suspects attempted to flee on foot, the release said. Officers apprehended the two juveniles without incident.

Both juveniles were charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and one was charged with driving without a license, police said.

Additionally, a second stolen vehicle, reported stolen from a neighboring jurisdiction, was recovered by officers.

Rockland Police said they have recently had at least five reports of stolen vehicles with three incidents already occurring this month including the Jan. 16 theft.

Of the five vehicles stolen, one was taken by a suspect known to the owner, with the remaining four being stolen from driveways at random.

What the four stolen vehicles have in common is that all of them were left unlocked, with keys inside, according to police.

“Leaving vehicles unlocked with the keys inside in no way gives someone consent to take your vehicle; however, locking your vehicle and never leaving the keys inside while [unattended] are the first steps to preventing any auto theft,” police said.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com