NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) — Police have released surveillance video of a man who, they said, broke into multiple vehicles in a Northeast Miami-Dade neighborhood and took off with thousands of dollars in personal items.
According to Miami-Dade police, suspect Ira Jones could be connected with up to 30 car burglaries at Presidential Estates, a gated community in Northeast Miami-Dade. “Ira Jones is a young man that burglarized quite a few vehicles,” said Miami-Dade police Det. Andy Shahan. “We’re still putting everything together. So far we have about 10 cases. He went to Presidential Estates, which is a private neighborhood we have located in the intracoastal district.”
Investigators said the subject was somehow able to enter the private neighborhood and break into parked cars while their owners were sleeping.
Miami-Dade PD released surveillance video that was recorded earlier this week which showed the subject walking the streets and trying car door handles. "He basically does what we call ‘door popping’ or ‘door hopping,’" said Shahan. "They walk up to a vehicle, check to see if it’s open, open the door. Once inside, they’ll shut the door, usually, have a seat, and they’ll rummage through your belongings."
Investigators said an alert citizen caught him in the act on Tuesday and called police. Police responded to the scene and took Jones into custody. “He basically does what we call door popping or door hopping,” Shahan said. “They walk up to a vehicle, check to see if it’s open, open the door. Once inside, they’ll shut the door usually, have a seat and they’ll rummage through your belongings.”
Inside a backpack he was carrying, detectives said, officers found expensive valuables, including designer sunglasses and a computer. 7News cameras captured some of the valuables he allegedly stole on tables set up at the Miami-Dade Police Intracoastal District Station, Thursday. "This laptop here was taken," said Shahan. "It was a young man’s, I understand, from a kid who goes to school."
Some of the eyewear brands include Dolce & Gabbana and Ray-Ban.
So far, Jones has been charged in two cases, but officials think he’s behind dozens of burglaries. "Approximately 20 right now, but we have 10 that are a sure thing," Shahan said.
Police cautioned car owners to always lock their vehicles whenever parking them in their driveways. Miami-Dade PD will continue to investigate this case.
If you have further information on these thefts, 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.