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Surveillance video catches thieves breaking into Sandston cars

Posted at 11:23 PM, Aug 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-15 23:31:37-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Half a dozen cars, most of them left unlocked were targeted and broken into by at least four thieves Monday morning in Sandston.

Neighbors say four the six cars that were broken into in the 4900 block of Kinloch had a window left open and door unlocked.

Surveillance video from a neighbors home captured at least four suspects going through neighborhood vehicles.

Break in suspects

"People in this community work hard for what they have. There are good people out here that don't deserve their stuff to be rummaged through when they're asleep,” said Chris Whitaker who says he always locks his car doors, but because of the video knows the thieves did try to get in.

After our interview, Whitaker found his granddaughter’s pocketbook in his ditch and realized his daughter’s car had been rummaged through as well.

The thieves got away with with just two dollars from the purse.

Chris Whitaker finds purse in ditch.

Chris Whitaker finds purse in ditch.

While Whitaker says he is upset about the neighborhood break-ins, he knows the crimes could have been prevented.

"It’s hard for police to help you when you don't help yourself," he said.

Most neighbors reported their glove compartments or arm rests were open, but nothing was noticeably missing, with the exception of the little girl’s pocketbook.

Whitaker, a retired Henrico sheriff's deputy, has a message for these brazen criminals who didn't even bother to try hiding their identity.

Break in suspect

"There's a place for you, I worked there 28 years and I will gladly take you there to show you the ropes,” said Whitaker. “Crime doesn't pay here in Henrico.”

Police say that the man with the surveillance video is the only one to report the theft. Neighbors tell CBS 6 that police were able to get some valuable evidence from one of the cars.

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