A string of car break-ins in Fayetteville late last week has police on the look-out.
Within a two day span, six cars were broke into at Summerhill Racquet Club, Veterans Memorial Park and at a Kum 'N Go on March 14 and 15.
“We think that these are connected and little bit different scenarios because they`re targeting areas where people are going to be in and out of their vehicle, and more than likely to leave vehicles,” said Sgt. Craig Stout with the Fayetteville Police Department.
These criminals broke windows, quickly grabbing everything in sight, police said.
“You’re talking one person was out of their vehicle for less than a minute, but it only takes that long,” added Stout.
Two cars were broken into at Summerhill Racquet Club. Office manager Tab Blake said in one of those cases, a woman took her purse inside but left another purse, which was emptied out in her car.
“They dumped that purse thinking there was something in it and didn`t find anything, and actually moved onto the other vehicle, where they saw this lady`s valuables in the back seat in plain view,” Blake said.
Police said the cars that were broken into had valuables visible, which makes the cars targets.
“Criminals are lazy by nature. If they walk up to your vehicle and they don’t see anything laying in there of value, why risk detection that maybe in the trunk or in the glove box, whenever they can go down the street and find something that they see of value?” Stout said.
Blake said this is the first time the racquet club has seen a string of crimes.
“You get comfortable with your surroundings here, and the fact that nothing has happened here in the 37 years that we’ve been in business, and you kind of let your guard down,” Blake said.
But now racquet club employees are telling their customers to bring their belongings inside.
“Since this has happened, it could happen again so now we are on our guard and hopefully they`ll realize that, and they won’t come back,” Blake said.
Police said the person or persons responsible for the break-ins face felony charges.
If you have any information on these crimes call the Northwest Arkansas Crime Stoppers at (479) 790-TIPS.