Police: Kids responsible for Monroe vehicle break-ins

MONROE — Police are looking for some kids that they believe may be responsible for breaking into four vehicles during the early morning hours on Dec. 17.

The suspects took GPS units and two matching televisions that hang from headrests from unlocked vehicles parked on Sleepy Hollow Drive, and in another neighborhood on Brittany Woods and Brookhurst drives. One of the vehicles broken into was parked in a driveway of a residence, police said.

The total value of the items stolen is $900.

Police Chief Greg Homer said the break-ins are the work of kids — not professionals.

“It appears the kids are walking down the street and just feeling for the cars that are open. They’ll pass 10 cars that are locked and then they come to one that’s unlocked, and that’s the one that they go in,” he said.

“They’re not professionals. They’re not busting out windows — which shows you’re a little bit more desperate.”

In one of the vehicles, someone attempted to pry a stereo from the dashboard but was unsuccessful.

Police are following leads to determine who is responsible for the break-ins, Homer said.

Residents are being encouraged to lock their car doors and remove valuables from their vehicles and place them in the trunk.

“Out of sight, out of mind,” he said.

Homer said the last time the department arrested someone for breaking into vehicles was last winter when a group of adults were caught.

“We actually followed some footprints in the snow last winter when we caught them,” he said.

Two years ago, the department also nabbed a group of juveniles for breaking into vehicles.

“In three years' time, we have caught two groups doing it,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.

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