KENNEWICK, Wash.-- Police in the greater Tri-Cities area have reported an untick in the number of car prowls they've investigated since the beginning of the year.


"Certainly unlocked cars are the biggest challenge," said Lt. Aaron Clem with the Kennewick Police Department. "We've seen about double the amount of car prowls in the first four months of 2020, compared to the first four months of last year, and even the past five years. About 70% of those have involved unlocked cars."


Lt. Clem said it's also important to remove any valuables from the car when you leave it. That includes purses, electronics, and firearms.


Weapons should never be left in a vehicle unattended. Since January 1st, nine firearms have been stolen from cars in Kennewick. In six cases, those cars had been left unlocked.


Investigators are taking advantage of the growth in home surveillance video to help in these investigations. Earlier this week, a car was broken into in Kennewick, and a nearby business was damaged.


Officers released surveillance video of the suspect as he peered into cars in the neighborhood near Zintel Creek Golf Club in Kennewick. The following morning, patrol officers responded to a report of car prowls i the area of Klamath and Yelm, and found a man wearing the same clothing as the suspect seen in the surveillance video.


Officers arrested Dominic A. Martinolich, Jr., 24, for suspicion of attempted burglary.


Detectives later served a search warrant at a residence in the area of 3rd and Vancouver where they collected additional evidence in the burglaries and other crimes.


Anyone with information about this or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Kennewick Police Department at 509-628-0333.

More From 610 KONA