Police respond to recent car break-ins

After a recent uptick in car break-ins, Homewood Police are increasing patrols and working with other police departments to make arrests.

Since Nov. 1, Sergeant Andrew Didcoct said there have been 36 car burglaries in Homewood. These numbers are higher than normal, and the crimes have been especially frequent in the Edgewood and Hollywood neighborhoods. In addition to thefts of wallets, credit cards, cash, guns and electronics, three cars have been stolen.

Didcoct said the owners of the stolen vehicles left them unlocked with the keys sitting inside. Many of the break-ins also happened because owners left their cars unlocked.

In the same time frame, Mountain Brook experienced 20 break-ins, Vestavia Hills experienced 22 and Hoover experienced 115, including one that resulted in a homeowner exchanging shots with burglars. Those suspects went on to steal a car at gunpoint from a Mountain Brook resident. However, none of those municipal police departments said their reported break-ins were higher than normal.

Despite speculation from residents that the break-ins are the work of a local gang, Goons Taking Over (GTO), Didcoct said the police have no evidence that connects GTO to any of the crimes.

The Homewood Police have not made any arrests yet, but Didcoct said officers will be increasing patrols in the heaviest-hit areas and working with other police forces to find the culprits. Vestavia has made one car break-in arrest, and Hoover has made 10, including the arrest of three suspects related to the armed burglary and carjacking.

Didcoct reminded residents to lock their car doors and remove or conceal any valuable items. To report suspicious activities, call the Homewood Police at 332-6204.