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Thieves caught on camera breaking into public safety car in Speedway

SPEEDWAY, Ind.(WISH) — Thieves targeted a marked fire department vehicle in Speedway, continuing a string of break-ins just days before the Indianapolis 500.

The most recent break-in happened in the parking lot of a restaurant at North High School Road and Crawfordsville Road.

Wayne Town Fire Department said this is the third break-in for them within the last year.

“The individuals that were involved in those were all caught because we started installing cameras in all our vehicles that record around the clock,” said Captain Mike Pruitt, Wayne Township Fire Department. “So any activity that goes on in that vehicle we record it.”

The crime begins in a parking lot just five minutes away from IMS.

Surveillance video shows a Hyundai crossover pulling up to the marked car. Not too long after that, a man is seen getting out of that car and peeking through the windows.

“There seems to be a lack of concern,” said Pruitt. “No matter who’s driving a vehicle you’re susceptible to break in.”

In the second video, another man wearing a button down shirt is seen smashing the passenger side window.

He goes through every compartment before grabbing the expensive electronics.

“Now we’re taking that next step to upgrade our security systems in our vehicles so that the littlest activates around our vehicle could very well set the alarm off,” he said.

May is always a busy month for the Speedway Police Department with thousands of people already in town for the Indy 500.

“We definitely want to make sure that people are safe as they can take precautions to keep track of their property and secure it as best they can,” said Sgt. Jim Thiele, Speedway Police Department.

So far police received at least a dozen reports for car break-ins and thefts in different parking lots. Police believe a gold Chevy suburban and Mercedes with tinted windows may be involved.

Police said it’s still too early to tell if there’s a connection between any of these cases.

“It’s too difficult to determine if we have one suspect or multiple suspects in the break-ins of vehicles,” said Thiele.

Police are encouraging people to not keep any important stuff in plain view in your car. Police said you need to remember to put everything away.

If you think you recognize the suspects and vehicles you’re asked to call Speedway police.

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