The Codiac RCMP are investigating a string of thefts targeting washing machine coin boxes in Moncton apartment complexes.

There have been more than a dozen thefts in the last five days, so Const. Chantal Farrah said the RCMP are now asking people to watch for strangers in their apartment buildings.

"[Tuesday] night we had a few cases also reported in Riverview, so it's not an isolated incident only in Moncton," she said.

"It seems to be happening in a few areas in the community so we're asking people to be vigilant."

When full, the coin boxes can hold more than $100.

"The suspect or suspects is gaining entrance to the apartment building either from people just leaving the apartment holding the door for them or putting a wedge in the door," she said.

"Then they're going in the laundry facility and they're damaging the machines in order to get the coins."

Farrah said police are treating these crimes as acts of vandalism along with the theft.

Along with asking people to watch out for strange people in their buildings, Farrah said apartment staff should make sure the coin boxes are emptied on a regular basis.

According to the RCMP, witnesses have described the suspect in these thefts as a male, possibly in his mid-20s, short with a medium build and dark-coloured hair.