Thieves smash into several cars in restaurant parking lots
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Several people trying to enjoy a bite to eat on Indy’s north side ended their meals as crime victims.
Their cars were broken into while parked outside the restaurants along 82 and 86 Street, stretching from Castleton out west towards Michigan Road.
“We were at Chili’s,” said victim Robin Geiger. “Got in the driver seat of my car and slammed the door and heard all the glass fall in the back. I knew right away what had happened.”
Her shopping bag from Ulta tennis bag was nowhere to be seen. Gieger said luckily her iPad was still sitting on the front seat. “That was the good news,” she said.
The bad news is she wasn’t alone. 86th and 82nd Streets are known for food and fun but unfortunately also for easy targets for crime.
“(Criminals) need to think about the people they’re doing it to but I don’t think they care,” she said.
Suspects smashed their way into five other cars. Two were in the parking lot shared by Drake’s and District Tap, another outside North End Barbecue. Two more happened in other restaurant parking lots.
“It’s not as surprising today when you ask me about it as it was last night when the officer told me how much it had happened because as I mentioned earlier, we have never seen anything like that,” she said.
Police said they want to remind people to keep windows closed and cars locked.
“I lock my car everywhere I go regardless, in my own garage, any parking lot, anywhere I go. Just habit I guess,” said Henry Kreutzinger who was on his way into North End Barbecue.
The victims last night did lock up their belonging, but they left their belongings out in plain sight.
“They would have been able to see my tennis bag, that was on the seat. But I can’t imagine they would break a car, into a car for that,” she said.
When talking to the officer, Geiger said she was told criminals are also targeting black colored bags because they might have electronics in them. She said the officer also told her it doesn’t matter where you park your car. Geiger’s SUV was parked near the entrance at Chili’s when it was broken into.