WILKES-BARRE, PA – Police in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., say they are seeing a common trend with the rising rash of vehicle break-ins: global positioning systems, according to the Web site http://www.timesleader.com.

In the first three weeks in November, Wilkes-Barre Township police Lt. Carl Gembitski said there have been 26 reported thefts from cars parked in the township.

The numbers are more staggering in the City of Wilkes-Barre. City police reported 44 thefts from cars during November, according to a compilation of news releases. Gembitski said thieves are targeting cars at night and during the day.

According to news releases in November from township police, there have been eight vehicle break-ins during daylight hours and 11 break-ins at night.

The NPW Group, a consumer and retail market research information center, said GPS sales last year after the Thanksgiving Day holiday rose 670 percent for the navigational gadgets and is expecting a banner year this year.

Ironically, a portable GPS unit that gives drivers directions to just about anywhere doesn’t have a tracking signal to find it if stolen, according to the Web site www.timesleader.com. Some GPS models, if programmed by the owner, contain personal information with addresses and telephone numbers.