Police say it happens every year around this time. And just the same, drivers seem shocked when they realize they're a victim.

Emergency dispatchers fielded calls Wednesday morning as several drivers reported their idling cars were stolen. It happened in driveways and parking lots as people tried to warm the inside of their vehicles. Temperatures this morning were slow to climb into the teens in Wichita.

KAKE News rode along with Wichita Police to see how easy it is for thieves to strike.

In only five minutes, WPD officer Terence James found a black Acura idling in a QuikTrip parking lot. The driver's door was unlocked as the owner ran a quick errand inside the store.

"If a person wants to take a car, they don't care what it is," James said. "If they have the opportunity to steal it, they'll do it."

And it only takes a second.

James spoke with the Acura's driver, who thanked him for the advice.

"But most don't seem to care," James said, adding the driver didn't seem too concerned.

Many times, police say a stolen car is later used in another crime. Some models are also taken to so-called "chop shops" to be disassembled and sold as parts.

Driving through subdivisions in West Wichita, it was easy to spot potential victims.

James looked for the white exhaust fumes that told him a car was recently started. On others, headlights were a giveaway the car was running.

Lea Sumrall was surprised when Officer James knocked on her door.

"You know, I'm not concerned about it being in my driveway," Sumrall told KAKE News. "Maybe I should be."

But as with many drivers, Sumrall says her neighborhood is safe, adding she might continue to warm her car on the coldest mornings.

"You can never let your guard down anywhere," says Officer James. "The minute you do, you can become the victim of a crime."

In 2008, Wichita reported 177 idling cars being stolen, most during the colder days of the year. A department spokesperson said the numbers were similar in previous years.

Leaving your car idling to warm up is legal in the city. However, experts encourage drivers to lock their doors or invest in a remote starting system. Many systems automatically shut off if an attempt is made to drive the car.

But police say the best deterrent to would-be crooks is to not tempt them in the first place. A car that is off and locked is significantly less appealing than a car running and available, police said.