BERKELEY — Whether they are being heisted for joyriding or something else, thieves have stolen six UC Berkeley golf carts around campus since Nov. 14, authorities said.

Four of the carts, valued between $3,000 and $8,000, have been recovered, some far off campus, but no arrests made.

Five of the carts belong to the Cal Athletic Department and the last two were taken on Friday night, the day before Cal hosted Stanford in the Big Game football contest.

Authorities said the carts are utilized by campus staff and student staff for transporting equipment and supplies around campus and for giving people rides to different campus spots.

UCPD Sgt. Sabrina Reich said in some instances drivers of the carts were too busy to adequately secure them.

The carts have primarily been stolen near Haas Pavilion and the Moffitt Library.

Some of the thefts may have been simply for joyriding as the carts were found not far away on campus, authorities said.

But at least one was found more than a mile away off campus at Cragmont Rock Park at Regal Way and Easter Way and another was found on Eunice Street between Spruce and Oxford streets.

Authorities at this time don’t think the thefts are related but possibly more a crime of opportunity as people walking through campus decide to take them to get where they are going faster.

Stealing such carts is considered vehicle theft and can be prosecuted as a felony, authorities said.

UC police are reminding cart drivers to always secure the vehicle, even if parking for brief periods and remove keys from the ignition.

Also, drivers are urged to install a keypad lock which will disable the cart until the proper key code sequence is entered and use a steering wheel lock, pedal lock or chain to secure the car when it is parked.

Anyone with information about the thefts may call UC police at 510-642-0472 during business hours or 510-642-6760 after hours.