A quiet stretch of the 600 block of 7th Street NE turned into a midday headache for several drivers on Tuesday, after a suspect allegedly smashed the windows of three parked cars, stole items from two of them, and then took off. Nearby surveillance cameras caught both the person and the getaway vehicle on video, and police are now asking neighbors to help identify who is responsible.
What police say
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, First District officers were called to the 600 block of 7th Street NE at about 1:41 p.m. for reports of multiple thefts from motor vehicles. Investigators say the suspect shattered the windows of three parked vehicles, removed property from two of them, and then fled the scene. The case has been logged under number CCN 26101669.
Surveillance images and reward
Police say surveillance cameras in the area captured the suspect and the car involved, and those images are now circulating in hopes that someone recognizes them. As reported by FOX 5 DC, the department is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in the case.
How to help
Anyone who recognizes the person or the vehicle is urged to call the MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Police caution that members of the public should not approach the suspect. Per the Metropolitan Police Department, investigators are also interested in photos or video from residents and businesses that might have captured the break-ins or the suspect leaving the area.
Preventing vehicle break-ins
Crimes like this are often crimes of opportunity, and safety experts regularly remind drivers to remove valuables from view, lock all doors, and park in well-lit areas whenever possible. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends layering protections: common-sense habits, visible warning devices, immobilizers, and tracking systems that can make a vehicle harder to steal and easier to recover. NICB notes that many vehicle thefts and break-ins happen simply because cars are left unlocked or with keys left inside.
