Four cars have been stolen from petrol station forecourts in the past week after the owners briefly left the vehicles with keys in the ignition.
Tauranga police said the four thefts had occurred across the city, and none of the vehicles have been recovered.
Senior Sergeant Chris Summerville said it appeared the offender was targeting vehicles that were briefly unattended with keys in the ignition.
Mr Summerville said police would like to hear from anyone who saw the stolen cars, and reminded drivers to keep the keys with them when leaving vehicles unattended.
Stolen vehicles:
2011 Great Wall utility coloured white, registration: FTJ932
2011 Ford Ranger coloured white, registration GDR774
2003 Holden Commodore VY coloured blue, registration BEM 464
2000 Toyota Corolla Fielder station wagon coloured red, registration DMP745