Police Warn of Uptick in Area-Wide Smash and Grab Car Burglaries

There has been an area-wide uptick in smash and grab car burglaries reported over the last two weeks. These are crimes of opportunity in which the criminals conduct surveillance in a parking lot, typically a fitness center or school drop-off point. Once the criminals locate vehicles with purses, bags, or other high-value items in plain view, they will break the windows, steal the items, and flee the area within seconds. The thieves are primarily looking for IDs and credit cards, which they will use as soon as possible in another jurisdiction. Previous investigations involving similar crimes have determined these criminals belong to groups that travel across the country committing these crimes. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle if possible. If cannot take your valuables with you, make sure to store them out of view before you get to your destination.