RICHMOND, Va. – Surveillance video captured several young men walking down the street in the Fan recently checking to see if cars are unlocked so they can snag anything of value from inside the vehicles.
Richmond police confirmed a number of reported thefts from vehicles in the Fan and other parts of the city.
A concerned neighbor posted the video on a neighborhood crime prevention app to alert the community.
The video shows a group of men roaming through the neighborhood overnight to see if vehicles are unlocked before taking what they want.
Michael Greene, who lives in the Fan, said someone did the same thing to him two weeks ago
He said he noticed something different the next morning after leaving his car unlocked the night before.
"When I got in the car the next time, the glove compartment was open, so I knew someone had been in there,” Greene said. “No damage and nothing of importance was stolen, but then we take the precaution of taking everything out of any value."
Greene said he normally keeps his car locked.
“It was just one of those times we just kind of walked away," he said.
Richmond police reminded residents to always lock their doors along with these tips:
- Remove valuables from their vehicles
- Keep items out of view
- Stow items in the trunk
- Hide coins and cash
- Put valuables in the trunk prior to arriving at their destinations
If you spot see a suspicious person or activity in your neighborhood, call 911.