ATTLEBORO - Thieves are targeting South Attleboro neighborhoods, stealing GPS systems, MP3 players, laptops, satellite radios and wallets from cars.

Police appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity or strangers in the neighborhoods late at night.

A "Reverse 911" message was sent out to 3,600 South Attleboro residents Friday warning them about the break-ins.

Police Lt. Kyle Heagney said there have been 72 motor vehicle break-ins since May 1 in neighborhoods close to the Rhode Island border. "Since May 1, we've had a big upswing," Heagney said.

Police believe the thief or thieves live in Rhode Island or possibly in the area, Heagney said. The neighborhoods are close to the border with the Rhode Island communities of Pawtucket, Central Falls and Cumberland. Heagney warned residents to lock the doors of their cars and trucks and not to leave valuables in plain view.

He said the thieves are going for easy targets and stealing anything valuable, particularly global positioning systems, portable music players and laptop computers. The break-ins have occurred on Carrier Avenue, Rand Avenue, Robinson Avenue, Hope Avenue, Clayton Avenue, Lord Street, Simpson Avenue and Sagamore Road.