LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) \u2014 Business owners and gym-goers in Louisville\u2019s Fern Creek neighborhood are on alert after a recent string of vehicle break-ins in a shared parking lot near Hurstbourne Parkway and Bardstown Road.<\/p>\n
The parking lot serves about a dozen businesses, including One Stop Fitness, and has been the site of vandalism and car break-ins over the past several weeks. Police said many of the incidents happened during early morning hours, between 4:30 and 6:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely a surprise,”\u00a0Erick Coleman, a trainer at One Stop Fitness, said. “I haven’t ever in the eight years that I have been here had to deal with anything like this.”<\/p>\n
Photos from the scene show smashed windows and vehicles that were rummaged through. Coleman believes the crimes appear to be crimes of opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s more or less where the suspects feel like they can get an easy target or come up on something of course isn’t theirs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Louisville Metro Police confirmed the department\u2019s 7th Division is investigating the break-ins and is urging drivers to take precautions.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep your doors locked when you go to the gym, remove your fire arms from your vehicle \u2014 I think there were a couple firearms that were taken and that is always dangerous and concerning for us,\u201d LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said.<\/p>\n
Some gym members said they were unaware of the recent crimes until now.<\/p>\n
Darrin Branham, who visits Crunch Gym several mornings a week, said the news was unsettling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first I have heard of it. It’s alarming \u2014 very alarming,\u201d Branham said.<\/p>\n
Branham said he\u2019s learned the importance of being cautious after experiencing a break-in himself years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cYears ago I got my vehicle broke into \u2014 don’t leave anything out they can can see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Coleman said the frequency of the incidents has caught many off guard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s really surprising to hear that they are doing it at the rate they are doing it at,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
LMPD said there have been no arrests in the cases. Anyone with information is asked to call 574-LMPD. Tips can be made anonymously.<\/p>\n
LMPD shares some tips online<\/a> on how to prevent theft. To file a crime report, click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n More Crime News:<\/p>\n New charges filed for Louisville notaries involved in fake temporary tag scheme<\/a><\/p>\n 2 people hospitalized after shooting in Louisville’s St. Denis neighborhood, police say<\/a><\/p>\n