Four cars have been stolen in Bismarck in the last two days, two of them from the parking lot of the same bar.

A fifth, stolen last Friday, has been recovered.

A maroon 1990 Oldsmobile four-door, license plate DUG349, was stolen at about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday from the Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse parking lot. Its owner had been inside playing blackjack, according to a police report. He left his keys on the playing table, and at one point noticed they were missing. He went out to find his car, but it was gone.

Another car was stolen from the lot at Borrowed Bucks the night before, sometime between 8:20 and 8:45 p.m.. That was a red 1993 Ford Probe, license plate GWA866. The owner had left the engine running and the doors unlocked, according to the report.

Also on Tuesday or early Wednesday, a 1995 metallic-green Dodge Caravan was stolen from the parking lot at St. Alexius Medical Center. The owner of the van, license plate EOJ159, doesn't recall leaving the keys in the vehicle, but can't find them. It was stolen between 10 a.m. Tuesday and 2:09 a.m. Wednesday.

Rounding out the list, a light-blue 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, license GLV839, was stolen from the Target parking lot between 3:07 and 3:40 p.m. Monday. The owner said it may have been unlocked and an extra set of keys might have been inside.

Bismarck Police Lt. Mike Wardzinski said anyone with information on any of the vehicles should call the department at 223-1212.

Wardzinski cautioned drivers to always secure their keys and lock their doors. And even though it's cold outside, he said, don't start your car and leave it unlocked and running. Get a spare key made and lock it.

"It's a crime of opportunity," Wardzinski said.

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)