Twenty-five cars were broken into and one car was set on fire yesterday in Parking Lot 83 North, Penn State Police Services said.

All of the incidents occurred between midnight and 4:30 a.m. yesterday, police said.

The ignited car, the make and model of which police would not release, was totally destroyed in the fire, police said. The vehicle was valued at $3,000. The fire also caused peripheral damage to two cars near it.

Police did not have a complete list of the items stolen yesterday, but said they included stereos, compact disc players and compact discs.

Police would not say how the cars were broken into.

Police do not have any suspects in the case, but said the break-ins were likely done by a group of perpetrators working together. Police are still investigating the thefts and said they have several leads.

Investigator Ron Schreffler said the same people who broke into the cars might have also set the fire, although a connection has not been officially determined.

A resident of Tener Hall noticed the blaze at 4:30 a.m. and called Centre County's emergency communications center. Alpha Fire Co. was called to the scene of the fire.

This is not the first problem in Lot 83 North, police said. In the past they have made a significant number of arrests in relation to thefts and vandalism in the lot.

Police are unsure of the motivation for the thefts or the fire, but they ask that anyone with information contact them at 863-1111. All names will remain confidential.