MANSON — A Lake City man is charged with burglary after burglarizing one vehicle and stealing another, according to Manson Police Chief Gerald Frick.

James Geopfert, 32, allegedly tampered with a vehicle identification number, took items from it and stole a second vehicle.

Geopfert later removed the VIN plate from the dash of the stolen car and dumped it in Cass County, Frick reported.

Geopfert was arrested by the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

Geopfert was charged on Jan. 6 with second-degree theft and third-degree burglary.

Frick said during the past several weeks Manson police have received multiple complaints of car burglaries.

“Individuals will walk around and pull on door handles,” Frick said. “If it opens, they will go through the personal belongings, take items of value and move on to the next vehicle.”

Frick is encouraging everyone to secure their vehicles at night by locking them and not leaving belongings within view of people walking by.