And Police Scotland is now warning van owners in the region to take care after the latest break ins at Moffat, Beattock and Sanquhar overnight Wednesday to Thursday.
Electrical tools, drills, saws, grinders and other tools were all taken in the raids.
However, some of boxes and containers that the tools were in have been found near some of the scenes of the crimes.
Detective Constable Grant Drennan said “Once again the area appears to have been hit by thieves who have targeted vans in Moffat – three, Beattock – four and in the Sanquhar area – four.
“At this stage were are treating this latest spate of thefts as linked, and there is a strong possibility that they are linked to the last spate.”
Appealing for help from the community to solve the crimes, he added: “We want to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in any of the area of these crimes over Wednesday/Thursday this week. We want to hear about any suspicious movements of people or vehicles, and any information should be passed to us through the 101 number, using the reference number PDG 0123200618.
“With the numbers of this type of crime recently reported now reaching nearly 40, we are confident someone somewhere must have seen something which might just help us. Even the most apparently insignificant piece of information might be the missing piece in our link to help solve these crimes. Please call us if you think you might have seen something we might be interested in.
“Again we are asking businesses who operate vans throughout the region to be on their guard and consider carefully where they park their vehicles overnight, and what tools and other equipment they leave in them.”
Anyone seeking crime prevention advice can call for a free survey on 101, and ask to speak with their local crime reduction officer.
