A Gilbert community is on high alert after thieves targeted over 30 vehicles early Tuesday morning.
A neighbor's security cameras caught the crooks running through the neighborhood near Cooper and Guadalupe roads around 1 a.m. on October 23 when he realized the crooks looked more like teens.
In all it appears like there were six of them running around that night checking car doors.
“The main one I got was wearing a hoodie, and it shows a pretty good shot of his face ‘cause he stops and stands still,” he said. “They just running checking door handles and if it’s open, they’re in luck.”
This neighbor who didn’t want to give his name says his house has been hit at least three times. Unsure if it’s the same guys, he got the security cameras to catch the next thief that tries to steal from him.
Some neighbors took to the popular site NextDoor to share security footage and pictures of the crooks.
Others phoned the police and filed a report. While it’s unknown how much property was taken or the value of the stolen property police say over 30 vehicles were broken into and they say there may be more victims.
“And in all of these cases we could find no signs of forced entry it appears all the doors were unlocked,” said Sgt. Darrell Krueger with the Gilbert Police Department.
Gilbert police say this should serve as a reminder to never leave valuables in your car and to always lock your doors. While this is a crime of opportunity, police are concerned about the high number of break-ins in the short amount of time and how these this group is moving.
“It’s not just one or two kids or adults walking through hand decide to commit a crime. It appears that they’re targeting. So, they’re organizing and they’re focusing,” said Sgt. Krueger.
If you have any information about these crimes you’re asked to contact Gilbert police.
