Surveillance video captures 4 thieves breaking into cars in Pinecrest

9 vehicles burglarized Monday morning, police say

PINECREST, Fla. – Pinecrest police are searching for at least four thieves who were captured on surveillance video this week breaking into vehicles.

The vehicle break-ins were reported early Monday.

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Police said nine vehicles were burglarized, all of which were left unlocked.

Authorities warn people to lock their car doors and said that about 80 percent of car burglaries take place because the victims have left their vehicles unlocked.

Police advise the public the not leave purses, wallets, electronics or anything of value inside their cars and to illuminate the exterior of their homes, including the driveway area.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Pinecrest police at 305-234-2100, or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Many car burglars as known as “car hoppers” go from car to car and pull on door handles. If the car door opens, they enter and take whatever they find. About 80% of car burglaries are to unlocked vehicles. These burglaries only take a matter of seconds. 1. Lock parked car doors! This is the simplest and most effective crime prevention tip for this type of crime. 2. Do not leave purses, wallets, computers, tablets, book-bags, money, or anything of value, inside your car. 3. Illuminate the exterior of your residence and driveway. 4. If your vehicle has “keyless start” ensure the fob is never left in a parked car. Often the burglar will depress the brake pedal push the start button, in the hopes the car starts. This is how some car burglaries in Pinecrest become auto thefts. 5. If you observe people in the neighborhood loitering, lifting door handles, or looking into car windows, immediately call 911. Below four suspected "car hoppers" are shown on surveillance video outside of a Pinecrest home during the early morning hours of Monday, February, 6th. If you have any information about the suspects on this video, please call police at 305-234-2100. Please visit www.pinecrest-fl.gov/police for more information about the Police Department.

Posted by Pinecrest Police Department on Friday, February 10, 2017

About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.