HALIFAX COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities in Halifax County said thefts of all-terrain vehicles are on the rise.

Brian Snow said thieves recently targeted his vehicle.

"I stepped outside to my shop to start up my motorcycle and went to start up my four-wheeler and noticed it was gone," ATV owner Brian Snow said.

ATVs can cost anywhere between $2,000 to $7,000. Once stolen, authorities said they can be sold on the black market for a few hundred dollars.

Since December, 18 ATVs have been stolen in Halifax County. Only six have been recovered, including one that belongs to the state wildlife division.

Halifax County deputies cannot locate the owner of one of the recovered 4-wheelers because the registration numbers were filed off.

"I encourage people take and write down their vehicle identification numbers and try not to make them a suitable target for thieves to steal," said Lt. Mark Macon, of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.

Macon also suggests taking photographs of your ATV, so they will know what to look for if it is stolen. ATVs are not registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Halifax County is starting its own databse of local owners to help track the number of ATVs that are stolen.