Sunshine Coast police officers warn residents could be fined up to $6700 dollars if they leave their vehicles unlocked.
The warning follows after multiple unlocked utes were targeted and stolen in rural areas and used in other crimes.
Detective senior sergeant Daren Edwards said leaving your vehicles unlocked costs police resources and taxpayers money.
"When you go to bed at night, you think, 'Is my house locked? Is my car locked? Where are my keys, I'll put them out of sight,'" Detective Senior Sergeant Edwards said.
"It's not rocket science, is it?"