NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Police are
investigating dozens of car break-ins that typically would leave many victims
and little evidence. A night vision video camera mounted in one of the vehicles caught
one of the crimes in its entirety.
It's the video that any police detective would want when trying to
catch thieves responsible for dozens of car break-ins.
"I know in this one night there were at least 14," said
Detective Lori Gross with Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Gross says a mounted night vision camera caught two crooks
breaking into a cab at The Club Apartments in Antioch.
"They're actually using their cell phone to light their way
through the van because there is no interior light on," said Gross.
The men didn't know as they looked for something to steal that the
camera was recording everything; it even captures one of the perpetrators unmasked
and looking right into the lens.
Dana Franks says her car was broken into at The Club Apartments
about two weeks ago, around the same time as the video was recorded.
"I came out that morning and discovered that someone had gotten
into my car and had gone through the glove box," said Franks.
Police say the burglars are not smashing windows, but looking for
unlocked doors. Franks admits her SUV's door was probably unlocked the night it
was broken into.
"I've been kind of worried that they might come back and even
start breaking into apartments," said Franks.
Police say now that they have the evidence, they need the public's
help in finding the persons responsible for dozens of break-in in the area.
After reviewing the video of the break-in, they know the men are
armed and possibly dangerous.
"In this instance there was a handgun taken, IDs, credit
cards; whatever is left in the car they are taking," said Gross.
If you have any information on these crimes, you're asked to call
the South Precinct at (615) 862-7763.
