OSCEOLA, Ind. (AP)- Police say thieves have been taking batteries and other items from boats docked along a northern Indiana river near South Bend.

St. Joseph County police have received more than a dozen theft reports over the past couple weeks from boat owners along a about 2 mile-section of the St. Joseph River around the town of Osceola.

Sgt. Bill Redman tells the South Bend Tribune (http://bit.ly/10uUZUU ) no one has reported seeing the thieves, although one boat owner said he heard a small boat motor at night. He didn't see anything but found his boat's battery gone the next morning.

Redman says some items such as stereos and tackle boxes have also been stolen.

Some residents believe as many as 30 boats in the area have been hit by thieves.