Lawrence police are investigating multiple car burglaries that occurred Monday morning.

An initial batch of break-ins was discovered around 2:30 a.m., when officers received a phone call about a prowler in the 1700 block of Ohio, said Kim Murphree, police spokeswoman. Officers found nine auto burglaries in the area, between 17th and 20th streets.

Officers did not locate any suspects then, but received another report about a prowler about an hour and a half later in the 3000 block of Steven Drive.

Police arrested two men Monday, a 24-year-old and a 27-year-old, in connection with four car break-ins in the area. A third suspect, a 27-year-old man, was arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with the case.

Murphree said officers were working to determine if the prior burglaries are connected. In all of the cases, the vehicles had been left unlocked.