MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis car owner shared video with ABC24 of a suspect breaking into multiple cars two weeks ago in a neighborhood near Washington Park.
Memphis police are reporting only 800 "car break-in incidents" compared to 1,255 by this time last year. Despite this, some Memphis car owners claim they do not see a difference.
Memphis resident Constance Faust said a person tried to break into multiple cars in her neighborhood, and this is the second time car thieves have targeted her neighborhood.
“5:25 in the morning, it’s twelve degrees outside, wind chill about two below. And you’re breaking into cars in the snow," Faust said.
In video Faust shared with ABC24, you can see the thief entering one car, then walking over to another, using some kind of device to open the car door without triggering the alarm. Faust said they stole cash from her car and a gun from her neighbors.
"I had battery packs for my phone; they left that. They left my charger cords. They're not looking for that. They're not looking for the little things. They're looking for something big," Faust said.
While cameras didn't deter the suspect, Faust still believes if MPD would install more cameras in her area, it would act as a deterrent. She said her focus now is preventing a third break-in incident as she continues to ask police to expand visibility.
Faust said that if thieves are aware they are being watched, they might change their minds about committing a crime.
Here are a few suggestions you can use to prevent your car from getting broken into: park in well-lit areas, keep your windows rolled up and don't leave any valuables in your vehicle.
We reached out to MPD to see if they are seeing thieves use similar tools that don't trigger car alarms to gain access to cars, but we have yet to hear back.