(WSBT) Police in Kosciusko County say ATV thefts are their most popular crime, next to meth labs. Now investigators are stepping up patrols and trying to outsmart the thieves.

It's mainly a problem in the rural areas of southern Kosciusko County, according to Sgt. Chad Hill. Investigators say they've seen sporadic ATV thefts over time, but now it's worse than ever.

Farmers like Hal Hoffman are becoming better targets. Thieves recently stole another four wheeler from him.

"Years ago, we were the safe ones out here," Hoffman told WSBT. "And the people in town seemed like they always had the break-ins."

Hoffman said he had the last ATV fully insured because they're such a popular theft item.

Police say it doesn't seem to matter whether it's day or night, if the four wheelers are kept inside or outside or if the doors to barns and sheds are left locked or open.

"I think because it's not necessarily an automobile or a house burglary that people probably don't think of it as much as serious," Sgt. Hill said.

But Kosciusko County Police are taking it very seriously. The sheriff recently approved each of the 21 road officers to work up to 16 hours of overtime every week, patrolling the southern part of the county. That adds up to nearly 350 extra hours on the road.

Investigators posted a map at the police department so they know which areas to target more heavily than others. One spot on the map shows five ATV thefts in a four mile radius.

"[This is the] largest crime pattern we have going on in the county, going on right now, besides meth," said Hill.

With more than 11 reported four wheeler thefts over the past few months, investigators believe they're dealing with at least three different theft rings. They say the problem is spread over several counties.

Hal Hoffman says lots of farmers are now looking for their own solutions.

"I've brought the dogs in, I've got somebody living here on the premises and I'm looking into a security system," he told WSBT.

He's also waiting to see what thieves will go after next.

"Fortunately they're not into stealing tractors and combines yet," he said.

Hoffman also says he needs his four wheeler for irrigation, and he puts hundreds of miles on it in the summer. His most recent ATV that was stolen was worth about $4,500, but the replacement costs about $6,500.

Investigators say thieves are so difficult to catch because police are finding stolen ATVs from Kosciusko County as far away as Steuben County, and even down in Kentucky.