NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Car burglars in Northeast Miami-Dade shattered car windows — and local residents’ sense of security — after, police said, the thieves broke into more than two dozen vehicles at three apartment complexes.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the burglars targeted 26 cars in the overnight smash-and-grab, early Sunday morning. Investigators said the perpetrators broke into vehicles at two complexes along Northeast 195th Street, near Eighth Avenue, and a third complex along the 18800 block of Northeast Third Court.
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Surveillance video shows at least four male subjects in dark-colored clothing and hoodies prowling a parking lot and peering into car windows. Moments later, they are seen smashing them and entering the vehicles.
The footage goes on to show the thieves fleeing on foot with valuables, ending the break-ins at that parking lot in a matter of minutes.
Area resident Cristina Gevada was dismayed by what she saw.
“I ran up, and I came outside, and I saw everything broken,” she said. “Literally, cars broken, everywhere.”
Dionis Escoto said the perpetrators stole valuables from several of his family’s vehicles, including his work car.
“My car broken into, my dad’s car broken into, my secondary car broken into,” he said, “so I have four vehicles that were vandalized.”
Anything left inside these cars was taken, including backpacks, electronics and even clothes.
7News cameras captured busted windows and broken glass in the parking lot of an apartment complex. A Nissan Sentra’s window was covered with a white trash bag.
The string of burglaries is setting some victims back more than $1,000.
“Very stressful. I have almost $2,200 in damages just in windows,” said Escoto, “and that’s not counting my glove compartment that they broke.”
“I was very upset,” echoed resident Samantha Aguiar. “It was raining all today, and it’s my personal property getting damaged.”
As police continue to investigate, neighbors are left to wonder how this could have happened with no one noticing — including security.
“How did we not hear this happening during the middle of the night?” said Gevada. “Where was the security when this was happening? [I’m in] just straight shock.”
If you have any information on these car burglaries, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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