$2,500 Reward After 100+ Car Break-Ins In Thornton In 2 Weeks
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Lock your car doors! That's the advice of Thornton Police after more than 100 cars were looted in the city in just a couple weeks. It's prompted a $2,500 reward for the arrest of those responsible.
The thieves have made off with GPS devices, cell phones, wallets, and even several guns. Police say the crooks have been working the entire north metro area.
"It's a crime of opportunity. They're walking up and down the neighborhoods, just trying doors. Once they get in, they just rummage through cars, take anything of value and certainly if they saw things of value, they might even break a window out. That's happened too," said Thornton Police Officer Matt Barnes.
Barnes says on one street, they ransacked seven cars, "What's substantial about this is the sheer numbers we've experienced."
CBS4 spoke with one of the victims who says this is the second time her car was hit.
"Came out the other morning and noticed that the middle console in my car was open, my glovebox was open and... there were items strewn all over lawn from inside my car," said one victim.
She says she doesn't keep anything of value in the car so nothing was stolen. But, she worries about the thieves coming back.
"I worry more because I have teenage children and if they're coming home and they happen to walk up on someone that could be dangerous," said the victim.
Police say the thieves are operating between midnight and 5 a.m. Officers urge people to lock their car doors, not leave anything of value in their vehicles and if they see anything suspicious-- to not approach the people but instead call police.
Anyone with information as to the individuals responsible is asked to call the Thornton Police tip line at 720-977-5069 or Metro Area Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
Shaun Boyd is CBS4's political specialist. She's a veteran reporter with more than 25 years of experience. Follow her on Twitter @cbs4shaun.
