MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police are on the hunt for a man who they said has been breaking into cars in an East Memphis neighborhood looking for easy access to vehicles left unlocked.
Residents of the neighborhood near Poplar and Highland are worried the issue is going to get worse. Many said they lock their car doors, but they fear that won’t even keep their vehicles safe for much longer.
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Police released home surveillance video of the man walking up to an SUV and tugging on the door handles. When he realized they doors were locked, he walked away.
They said the same man did the same thing to other cars in the neighborhood and successfully broke into a Nissan Pathfinder that was likely left unlocked at a home on Palisade Street.
Investigators said he stole a bunch of loose change and the vehicle’s registration.
The incidents in question happened earlier this week but police still haven’t caught the man, which is a concern for residents like Clint Jacobson.
Jacobson fears his car and his wife’s car will be broken into even though they do lock their doors.
“That’s a deterrent, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still break a window,” he said, “If they really want to do something they will and that’s scary.”
Police are asking for anyone who recognizes the man in the video or knows anything else about what’s been happening in the neighborhood to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.