Police are hunting a masked gang who stole tools from four villages in a crime spree in the north of the county.
All the incidents, in Shepshed, Quorn, Mountsorrel and Rothley took place over a 75-minute period on Thursday.
Police searched the area for the men, seen in a grey BMW 3 series estate, but could not find them.
In the first incident, at around 1.45pm, in Charnwood Road, Shepshed, a masked man stole tools from outside an address before getting into a grey BMW.
An hour later, at around 2.45pm, tools were stolen from two vans parked in Bond Lane, Mountsorrel.
Four masked men made off in a grey BMW 3 series estate.
Ten minutes later, at 2.55pm, a masked man tried to break into a van in Wood Lane, Quorn, again making off in the BMW.
The van was left damaged, although nothing was taken.
At 3pm, in Swithland Drive, Rothley, a member of the public witnessed what he believed was a crime in progress involving four masked men in a grey BMW.
They damaged his vehicle before making off.
Leicestershire Police said they could add no further information about how or why the man’s car was damaged.
Detective Constable Steve Reed, the investigating officer, said: “We believe from the similarities throughout these incidents, they were committed by the same group of people and are being linked.
“We are carrying out a number of enquiries including obtaining witness statements and reviewing CCTV at all of the locations.
“While we appreciate these incidents may be of concern, please be reassured that they will be fully investigated and everything is being done to catch the people responsible.
“Local officers will be carrying out proactive reassurance patrols in the area and are available to speak to anyone with any concerns they may have.
“If you have any information about these incidents, the vehicle used or the people responsible, please contact police, no matter how small the information may seem.”
Anyone with information is asked contact police on 101.
