SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI) — San Diego police are warning residents to lock their vehicles after surveillance video captured two suspected burglars checking parked cars in a Scripps Ranch neighborhood.
The burglary happened around 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, according to homeowner Mark Helders, whose security cameras recorded the incident.
The video shows a person wearing a red hoodie quietly opening the rear door of a white sedan before moving to the front door and using a small flashlight to search for valuables. A second suspect then approaches and checks the back seat to make sure nothing was missed. After finding nothing of value, the pair closes the doors and calmly walks away.
Helders said the vehicle had been left unlocked after his wife returned home with her mother and inadvertently forgot to lock it.
“This is one of those things,” Helders said. “My wife came home with her mother, had to get her taken care of, and just happened to forget to lock the car that day.”
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Although nothing was stolen, Helders said the incident serves as a reminder that anyone can become a victim.”We work hard for our stuff,” he said. “It’s not there for somebody else to go rifling through.”
Helders said his surveillance cameras also captured the two suspects walking through the neighborhood. In the days that followed, other Scripps Ranch residents posted on social media that the same pair appeared to be checking whether their vehicles had been left unlocked.
He said the crimes are especially concerning because thieves can gain access to garage door openers and other items that could lead them into victims’ homes.
“There’s garage door openers in those cars, and that is access to the house,” Helders said. “That is a terrible thing to realize.”
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San Diego police Officer Colin Steinbroner said vehicle burglars often look for easy opportunities rather than breaking windows and drawing attention to themselves.
“In San Diego there are a lot of open streets, a lot of parking and a lot of cars on the road, so checking door handles is fairly common,” Steinbroner said.
Police urge residents to keep vehicles locked, remove valuables from sight and report suspicious activity immediately.
“If you see it happening, call 911,” Steinbroner said. “We’ll get there as fast as we can. The more information you can give us — descriptions, license plates — the better. We’re very good at solving crimes with license plates these days.”
Helders said neighbors looking out for one another can also help deter crime.
“Part of the reason we live in Scripps Ranch is because it’s a safe community,” he said. “The safety comes from people watching out for each other, talking to the community and working together. That’s the kind of stuff that gets somebody caught.”
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