A rash of thefts reported in the Valencia area has Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies once again encouraging residents to lock up their valuables.

“We would advise people to leave their valuables locked in their garage when they’re not home – even if you have an expensive lock,” said Deputy Josh Dubin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “These thieves are using some type of blowtorch to remove the locks.”

Most of the thefts are happening in the evening hours, around 10 p.m., Dubin said.

In the last two weeks, nearly a half-dozen bicycles have disappeared, several from the Madison Apartments, and another theft was reported at a nearby gym.

A Madison resident who contacted KHTS said the complex now has signs posted throughout the complex at Town Center Drive warning people about the danger of leaving their valuables out in the open.

“Since the rash of burglaries, they put signs up everywhere, basically warning people that there’s been a spate of bicycles thefts, and telling people to lock their things up better, because the thieves know the routine of the security guards,” said a resident who asked to not be identified.

“I’ve been here for about five months, and people were pretty much operating on good faith, because people hadn’t been locking up their things,” he said.

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are looking into video obtained from the area that shows a suspect using a torch to cut the lock from an expensive bike that was later reported stolen.

The thefts and other similar “crimes of opportunity are frequently reported in the Nixle reports issued by the Sheriff’s Station’s Crime Prevention Unit, Dubin said.

Residents are not only encouraged to keep their valuables locked away and out of sight, but also to report any suspicious activity, he added.

“Deputies work in concert with the public we serve,” Dubin said. “And we welcome information from the public, and we encourage anyone who witnesses a crime taking place to call the Sheriff’s Station.

The phone number for the Sheriff’s Station is 661-255-1121.

Anonymous crime tips can be reported through the Los Angeles Regional CrimeStoppers program by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Crimes in progress or those requiring immediate attention should be reported directly to the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station at (661) 255-1121 or by dialing 9-1-1.