CLEVELAND — Not one, not two, but 37 vehicles were broken into in Ohio City early Sunday morning.
From at least West 25th Street to West 73rd Street down Detroit Avenue, several cars had their driver side or passenger side window smashed.
Cleveland Police say the break-ins happened between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.
Rose Davis is one of the three dozen that woke up to a shattered window on Sunday.
"That building (complex where Davis lives) is not safe. We're supposed to park in the back, but there's no security there. They say it's cameras, but they don't work, so on the weekends, I parked up here. I haven't had nobody break in my car since I've been here. Now I gotta spend money, unnecessary money to get my doggone car fixed," she said. "I wanna move when it get warm because this is the holidays now. I don't even know how I'm gonna get my grandkids anything."
Matt Garra also lives near Detroit Avenue, and while his cars are safe this time, he said he's had two windows broken in the past.
Garra told me one of his vehicles was broken into three weeks ago and another one this past Friday.
"There's a lot of this going on between here and Edgewater, and I don't know if it's an epidemic, but whoever it is, whether there's a group of people doing it or whatever, it's unfortunate for all of us that are being hit," Garra said.
For Garra, he said his out of pocket cost per window is $250.
"I feel disappointment for the people that are doing it, whatever is causing them to be pulled into whatever the situation is that makes them need to or being forced into smashing these windows to take possessions or whatever it is they're looking for," Garra said.
Preliminary information indicates that the suspects appear to be targeting vehicles for valuables or weapons.
The suspects may be using one or more vehicles and may also be traveling on foot when committing these break-ins, according to CPD.
Garra described the area as safe enough to walk his dog at three in the morning.
"I really hope that they can catch the people or put a stop to it," he told me.
Lake Erie Scoops Owner, Jennifer Taggart admitted there is crime in the area, but said she's never seen anything like this car break-in spree.
"I do know a couple of people whose cars were smashed right here in front of the shop and and it saddened me... because I know no one, no matter if you know your socioeconomic situation, nobody has that extra money right now to pay for car windows," Taggart said.
Taggart added someone who lives above her shop told her they saw two men in hoodies breaking into cars and called 911 immediately.
"Someone mentioned they saw somebody drive by around five or 5:30 a.m. this morning," Taggart said. "We all have to live in and work in the neighborhood. I'm gonna try my best to be safe and go about my life. I think people should just come down and enjoy what this neighborhood has to offer, and just like anywhere, just be cautious and be aware of your surroundings. We do have a nice relationship with the second district, the police department there and then, there's also a safety improvement district where members come around and patrol the area."
The Division of Police is asking residents and business owners in these areas to review any available surveillance footage for suspicious activity during the time frame of these crimes.
Anyone with video or information is urged to contact the Second District Detective Unit at (216) 623-5218.
