WASHINGTON — The number of car thefts has increased sharply this year in Montgomery County and police say it doesn’t have to be that way. Too often car owners are making it easy for car thieves by providing the keys.

Bethesda Magazine reports a 40 percent spike in stolen vehicles so far this year compared to last; 367 cases this year, and 264 at the same time last year.

In a very high number of stolen car cases, the thieves had the key, Montgomery County police said.

How could that be?

According to police, thieves often enter unlocked vehicles looking for money and valuables. And too often what they find is a spare key to a second vehicle at the residence.

It’s unwise but apparently not uncommon for people to place a spare key to one car inside another.

Police say extra keys belong in the house — not in the car — and vehicles should be locked to keep out the crooks.