Norfolk, Va. - Brazen criminals are breaking into cars in the Ghent section of Norfolk.
Security video caught them in the act and one break in happened in the middle of the day.
The audacity of these criminals have people in the Ghent neighborhood fed up.
This Wednesday in the middle of the afternoon a man walks up to this car, smashes the window, he leaps in the car and grabs bags and takes off running.
You can hear people screaming at him in the video.
People in the Stockley Gardens area said it happens all the time.
More security video from December 30th shows young men casing the neighbor then breaking into cars and stealing.
One guy raids the SUV in the driveway the other one digs through the car parked on the road.
Days prior a stroller is stolen right off a front porch.
“It just makes me uneasy," said Adryan Foresman. She said she is constantly checking on her car when it’s parked outside.
"My car has been broken into once and my fiancé's car has been broken into twice,” said Foresman.
"You find our cars with the glove box open and stuff is out on the seat, CD’s. And all the junk we keep in our car,” said Jacob Dyer.
Neighbors have been warning others about the break-ins on social media. They call this problem annoying.
“That’s one of the frustrating things about living in the city. You sometimes have undesirable activity happening,” said Dyer.
“I not use to living that way. I’m from small town in Pennsylvania so you just don’t. It wasn’t as common, not that it didn’t happen, it just wasn’t common. So it made me uneasy,” said Foresman.
Norfolk Police Department provided us with information about ways people can keep their information safe.
- Don’t leave your car unlocked
- Never leave your car running, especially while it is unattended or unlocked. Important values could be stolen, or worse, the car itself could be taken.
- Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle
Many people keep a spare key under the car, just in case they get locked out and thieves know exactly where to check for an extra key. While getting locked out of your car is a pain, think about the potential hassle of your car getting stolen. - Never leave your windows open
Even during the summer when it is scorching hot, don’t leave your windows open or slightly cracked when you are not in the vehicle. This could promote access to your car or any valuables inside, should they be left behind. - Park in well-lit, public areas
Avoid parking in areas that are poorly lit or places that are not immediately seen by the public. This will not only keep you safe when you exit the car, it will also help keep your car safe because thieves tend to avoid areas that are highly visible. - Don’t leave valuable personal property in your car
The best way to attract a thief is to leave your purse or another high-value item in a highly visible area of your car. If you must put something of value in your car, keep it in the trunk or under the seats, where it is not visible to others. - Use Common Sense
If you are wary of the safety of your car or see someone loitering around the parking lot, it’s best to park somewhere else. It’s better to walk a few extra steps than to have your car stolen or targeted because you ignored your instincts. - Most crime is a crime of opportunity. Don’t provide criminals the chance to take your belongings!
