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Mom says her car was used in a break-in, then returned to her driveway

Posted at 11:36 PM, Sep 05, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-06 08:36:39-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR)--The crime was a broad daylight break-in on August 26.

The victim told me off-camera that a few things were stolen, including two guns.   A neighbor was able to get a description of the suspect’s car,  and partial tag that day.

Since that day, detectives have been following leads and identified the car they think was involved.

In Theresa Grizzle's driveway sits the car in question: a Dodge Stratus that Chesterfield police told her was used in a burglary almost two weeks ago.

"I always lock my car doors, always do," Grizzle said.  "It’s hard to believe it happened."

A Matoaca mom off-camera confirmed to me her home off Deodora Drive in the Gilritchie community was broken into on August 26. Two guns were stolen and her sense of security hasn't been the same.

A neighbor gave police a description of what they thought was the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Dodge with yellow tags.

"She got a partial plate," said Grizzle.

That plate led police to a Hampton Avenue address where detectives tell Grizzle, one of their officers saw a bald black man with facial hair driving her car.

"He said he was seen pulling into my driveway at 3 a.m.,” Grizzle said.  “A police officer followed it here and said the bald guy got out and went into my house."

Grizzle said that was completely bizarre because she and her husband never heard a thing, and never let anyone borrow their car.

She never knew about the break-in until she was approached Thursday by a detective.  And while she thinks the facts of this case are strange, she said it's not  impossible.

"My back door was open,” she said.  “We left it unlocked because we had the kids coming in and out.  But they all have keys so that's no excuse.”

Grizzle said she was on the way to the hardware store to buy more locks for her husband to install.