WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro says thefts in the Washington-area transit system doubled in the first three months of the year compared to the same period last year.

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The Washington Post reports that from January to March, 239 thefts were reported. That's up from 119 in the same period last year. Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn says the rise in property snatchings and pickpocketing is partially due to the increasing number of portable devices used by riders.

Taborn also says that of those crimes, 125 people were arrested as part of the agency's unit that uses decoys to catch criminals.

Crime in parking lots has decreased significantly to 63 reported crimes from 120 such crimes in the same period last year, due in part to increased patrolling and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.