Lawrence police are investigating a string of at least 18 auto burglaries in west Lawrence early Tuesday and asked the public to call with any information about the crimes.

Officers began responding to theft reports about 1:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 5100 block of Eagle Drive, said Trent McKinley, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman. One witness reported seeing three young males walking through the neighborhood and committing some of the burglaries, which police believe are related. Officers searched for the suspects but did not find them, McKinley said.

After the first report on Eagle Drive at least 17 more auto burglaries were reported in the 1400 block of Legends Circle, the 1700 block of Alvamar Place, the 4500 block of Turnberry Drive and other nearby locations.

McKinley said it appeared that thieves had entered several unlocked vehicles, taking items and discarding what they didn’t want nearby. Officers were able to return some of that property to the owners but many items remained missing Tuesday afternoon. Among them were two laptop computers, a radar gun, other electronic items and a pair of designer sunglasses.

Police recovered some physical evidence from at least one of the vehicles and officers will continue to investigate, McKinley said.

Police asked anyone with information on these crimes to call the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or the TIPS Hotline at 843-TIPS (8477).