Smash-And-Grab Burglaries Rise In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department is warning motorists to keep their valuables out of sight as smash-and-grab burglary reports rise.

“Since May 5, we've had 14 cases of smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries,” the police department wrote in an email to media Wednesday. “The suspects have been going to recreation centers, parks, and shopping centers all over the city, and smashing out vehicle windows to steal purses, phones, laptops, etc. left in plain view.”

The burglaries have occurred at multiple locations in the city, police say. So far, Walter Fuller Park, Northwest Recreation Center, Lake Vista Park, Maximo Park, Tyrone Mall and Fossil Park have been targeted. Police say smash-and-grab burglaries have also occurred at Best Buy, 6600 22nd Ave. N., and at Bealls, 7899 9th St. N.

“While detectives work to find the suspects, we want to alert the public and are asking everyone to secure their personal items in the trunk of the car,” the email said.

Image via Shutterstock

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