PROVIDENCE, R.I. � Dozens of people parking on the East Side have been finding out the hard way about how easy it is to break into their vehicles.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. � Dozens of people parking on the East Side have been finding out the hard way about how easy it is to break into their vehicles.

For the last several weeks, the police have received dozens of reports of thefts from vehicles in the neighborhood, particularly on Olney Street and South Water Street,�near the bars and restaurants, said Lt. John K. Ryan.

The culprits appear to be several crews of boys, ages 12 to 16, who smash windows or use a device that �unlocks� the vehicles without setting off the alarms. From loose change and clothing, to electronics and even a bag of trash � Ryan said the thieves are taking whatever they can find.

Ryan said he�s posting extra officers in the area to watch for the thieves. The police have arrested several teens over the last several weeks, catching them in house breaks or larcenies.

Last week, a couple on Benefit Street saw three boys using a device to break into their car. The police caught one of the boys, a Hope High School student living in a group home, and found a GPS and cell phone stolen from the car, Ryan said.

There was a lull in the thefts for several days � and then the larcenies started up again on Monday.

There is one fool-proof deterrent, Ryan said: Don�t leave anything in your vehicle, even if it�s locked.