Raleigh police are sending out an alert for people to be more vigilant after a string of vehicle break-ins at churches.

At least 31 vehicles were broken into Sunday during religious services at these five churches, including Our Lady of Lourdes, Highland United, Providence, Summit and Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.

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It appears there has been an uptick in pick-up trucks being targeted.

Raleigh police told WRAL News that thieves are looking at vehicles most likely to have weapons inside. Even if nothing is visible, that doesn't always deter the criminals.

At Our Lady of Lourdes, Father Pat Keane showed us surveillance video of a pick up truck being broken into during services. Thieves got away with a handgun and $2,000 in cash.

Keane said none of the vehicles broken into had anything visible from the outside.

It is why Lt. David Davis said you have to be extra vigilant about making sure your vehicle isn't a beacon for thieves. 

"You will see some stickers that are like SIG stickers, promoting different types of weapon companies, those are going to be key for people to look at," Davis said. "Right to bear arms, stuff like that. You want to be careful about what you put on the outside of the car. That will draw attention for criminals to say, 'oh yeah that’s a car with a weapon.'"

Police said they are looking for a black Infiniti like the one shown in surveillance video.

If you have any information, you're asked to contact Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-996-1193.

"Right now, we just want to make sure that the entire community is being vigilant," Davis said. "Protecting their property, business owners, places of worship. You know the people that are going to these churches. They know who's supposed to be there and who's not supposed to be there. So any types of tips that when they get there, they see somebody backed into a into a parking spot, they're not getting out. They're just kind of watching the watching people go in and out of church. That should be a clue."

Police are pushing people to do what they call the 9 p.m. routine. That includes removing all valuables from your car, locking it up and parking in a well-lit area. Following those tips could help prevent people from targeting your car.

Davis said that overall, Raleigh police are seeing a decrease in motor vehicle theft percentage and larcenies from motor vehicles.