Rising lake waters brought out all kinds of pests during the last month, including rats, snakes, bugs -- and thieves.

At least a dozen lake residents reported the loss of boats and jet skis to law enforcement agencies all around the lake. Thefts were confirmed in the areas of Gun Barrel City, Payne Springs and Tool. Local police departments and the Henderson County Sheriff's Department worked the cases.

Gun Barrel City Chief of Police Damon Boswell said the problems is a recurring one. The drought and dry docks prevented thefts, but now the thiefs are on the prowl again with the lake at full pool.

"It comes in spells," Boswell said. "It's been going on ever since I first came here."

Law enforcement officers claim crime historically increases during the summer when students are on break from high school and college, which might account for some of the joy ride thefts. One homeowner reported catching a 16-year-old in the act of theft.

Boswell said most of the thieves take the boats and jet skis for "joy rides," abandoning them when they run out of gas. Others are removed from the lake and transported elsewhere.

Sometimes, thieves hot wire the boats just like they would a car, Boswell said.

But many boaters leave their keys in the boats ignitions or just hide them in the glove compartment or somewhere else in the boat experienced thieves quickly discover, the police chief said.

Boswell said local law enforcement agencies often recover boats stolen from other jurisdictions that are discovered abandoned.