Imagine returning from a long cruise. You’re ready to get in your car, drive home, and sleep in your bed. One problem: Your car is gone. That’s what happened to several cruise passengers who returned to find 17 vehicles stolen from the terminal lot.

Later, Detective Edward Smith said, “We don’t underestimate the significant impact this incident has had on the victims, who have returned from their holidays to discover their car stolen.”

The aftermath of the cars stolen from a cruise ship lot

Thieves took the vehicles from the cruise ship lot over two days, between Sept. 9 and 10. Immediately, Police began working the case.

“We continue to progress several lines of enquiry, including a full review of CCTV from the scene and surrounding areas,” Smith said. “I am pleased to say that this work has already led to the recovery of six of the vehicles, and those owners have been updated with the good news.”

This recent cruise ship lot car theft occured at Southampton Port, England. But long-term parking lots in the U.S. face similar problems. In fact, CBS reported that last year, thieves stole 200 cars from Denver airport. In Atlanta, they stole 300 cars.

Researchers at Arizona State University found cars in lots are four times more likely to be stolen than street-parked cars. Thieves often target long-term storage because victims won’t discover the theft right away.