Police cautioning drivers to remove valuables after spike in car break-ins

CINCINNATI - Police are warning people parking downtown to remove valuables from their vehicles after a recent spike in car break-ins in the past week.

Since last Sunday, Cincinnati police have received close to 30 reports of break-ins from car owners parked in lots or garages in the downtown district.
 
Detectives tell 9 News it's a crime of opportunity with owners often leaving valuables in plain sight. Thieves are also using a variety of methods to break-in and steal items all within a matter of minutes.

"These guys use a device to pry a car window to break it but they also use porcelain from a spark plug and it almost silently breaks the window. More often than not, no one hears this," said Detective Jeff Dunaway with the Cincinnati Police Department. "The guys stand off to the side, wait a few minutes and take what they need."

Dunaway says it's a 24-hour problem despite the large police presence downtown.

"We have repeat offenders," said Dunaway. "Due to lack of jail space, we can not keep them confined. Often times within minutes these guys are back on the streets committing the same crimes we arrested them for just an hour or so before. It's very frustrating but we are not giving up."