Article
and Video Courtesy of WPTV Channel 5 News
By Michelle Quesada
Published
August 2, 2019
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WEST PALM BEACH -- Police say they are investigating
about 40 smash and grab car break-ins from a two-week period in the
Flamingo Park, Sunshine Park, Pineapple Park, and Warehouse District
neighborhoods of West Palm Beach.
Right now police
have identified a suspect(s) involved and say arrests
are coming.
West Palm Beach Assistant Chief of Police Tameca West
says this week neighborhoods in the Flamingo Park and
surrounding areas were hit hard on Tuesday and Wednesday
nights. The cars had broken windows and had the glove
compartments rummaged through. Police say, in some
cases, the suspects appear to be looking specifically
for guns.
On Sunday, six cars were broken into during the day on
Clare Avenue near Grandview Market.
"I just came out and saw the police cars and everybody
standing around looking at their cars," said Ed Minnie,
who works nearby. "They were just smash, reach in, open
the glove box and then go. It happened very fast."
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Minnie said he helped clean up the glass and noticed
days later there was another car break-in on the same street.
"It's just unexplainable. The neighborhood is an up and coming
neighborhood. It's getting better not worse," said Ed Minnie who works
nearby.
West Palm Beach police say they are getting reports of car break ins in
Flamingo Park, Sunshine Park, Pineapple Park and the warehouse District
and out towards parts of the SoSo neighborhood.
"Approximately 20 this week. 10 in one night so of course, red flags
went off there. We immediately increased patrols, had some extra
divisions go down," said Assistant Chief West.
One homeowner on Ardmore Drive shared photos of his car broken into and
said he didn't even have items in his car, but his glove box was
rummaged through.
"I think they try to look for guns or firearms in vehicles," added West.
Police say they have identified some suspects and are asking for
homeowners to share any surveillance video they may have of potential
suspects.
"I would like to see more patrols and the neighborhood associations are
getting involved. The only thing we could do is get pictures, identify
them, and prosecute them," Minnie said.
Police say purses were reported stolen and electronics. They want to
remind drivers to lock their car doors, remove any valuables from the
car, especially guns.
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