The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents to watch for suspicious activities after several reports of home burglaries and theft of copper piping.

Since December, police have logged burglaries of abandoned and foreclosed properties in Marengo, Wonder Lake and McHenry. A small green truck was seen leaving one location. Burglars often use two vehicles, with one serving as a lookout, the sheriff’s office said.

The offenders forcibly entered the homes and used cutting tools to strip copper pipes from basements, authorities said. It also is common to take air-conditioning units and other appliances containing copper, they said.