Another car was reported stolen from an Annapolis service station overnight this week, bringing the grand total up to four, according to reports from the Annapolis Police Department (APD).

Patch reported earlier in the week about the previous reports.

According to the reports, three of the four alleged thefts occurred between the evening of Sunday, Nov. 7 and the morning of Monday, Nov. 8 at Koons Toyota on West Street.

The cars include a 2003 Toyota Corolla dropped off by an Edgewater man, a 2004 Toyota Four Runner dropped off by another person from Edgewater and a 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan dropped off by a person from Bowie.

The corolla was not reported stolen until Thursday, Nov. 11 because the person dropped it off early, according to Paul Hankle, the facilities manager at Koons Toyota.

In each of the cases, the car owners dropped off their cars for service and left the keys in the night drop box.

According to the police reports, police investigating the scene determined that the suspect or suspects tried to rip the box off the wall, were unsuccessful and then instead ripped off the lid from the box and took the keys that way.

Hankle said he thinks it was a group of people, adding that it would have been very difficult for one person to take all three cars, unless it took all night.

Hankle said security measures have been taken to make the lid more difficult to open. He said the business is also taking other measures to insure safety.

"We're looking into purchasing security cameras," he said.

An additional theft was reported from the Criswell Audi service center on McGukian Street. In this case, a 2006 Audi was reported stolen during the same timespan, also after the owner dropped off the car for service and left the keys in the drop box.

Police reports show that this car was recovered on Wednesday Nov. 10 by the Greenbelt Police Department and has now been returned to its owner.

It is unclear at this point if the thefts are connected.

Earlier this week, in a citizen's release posted on the city's website and sent out to those who subscribe, the APD encouraged residents to avoid leaving their keys in service drop boxes.  "Although it may be inconvenient, we suggest you drop your car off for service when the business is open," the warning read.