AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities said winter weather may be the reason some Austinintes have fallen victim to car thieves.

Just weeks ago snow and sleet covered Central Texas for the first time in years. With these colder days, you can bet Texans are trying to stay warm, but for some, the cold snap cost them their car.

"They leave their car running, run in for just a second, only intending to be there for a minute and their car is gone," said Det. William Beck with the Austin Police Department.

In the past four weeks, police say 23 cars have been stolen from Southeast Austin, 17 with a key.

"In the time that I've been investigating auto thefts, it's been documented that a one-third have been documented that there were keys left in them," said Beck.

It's a costly mistake that happens in every season, whether drivers are trying to heat up in winter or cool down in the summertime. The Insurance Council of Texas notes this crime is not limited to one part of town and urges awareness, no matter where you park.

"You've got criminals on the loose, and they're looking for the opportunities wherever they might be, whenever they might be and it's not just Southeast Austin, where we've seen a rise in auto thefts in the past few weeks. It literally can occur anywhere," said Mark Hanna of the council.

Experts say don't leave your car running or unlocked. Also make sure to remove spare keys from other vehicles.