Police Identify Suspect Vehicle In Dozens Of Metro Car Burglaries

A crime ring that has already targeted dozens of metro car owners is back at it again.

Edmond Police said the same group broke into three cars just this week. Midwest City and Oklahoma City Police are also working similar burglary cases, making this a metro-wide concern.

Police said this group of car burglars is from Florida and travel all over the country pulling off the crimes. They steal purses, bags and electronics from vehicles in parking lots with no surveillance systems. However, police finally have a good picture of the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle in three Edmond car burglaries this week and more than 30 car break-ins last year is a black Nissan Pathfinder with Florida plates.

“We know they are in town, absolutely don't leave anything in your car,” said Jenny Wagnon with Edmond Police.

Two of this week's break-ins happened in broad daylight at the YMCA on Rankin.

“They're not stupid criminals. They know where people are. They know where they will be more likely to leave a purse or a bag in the car, like dog parks and gyms,” Wagnon said.

The smash and grabs only took seconds to pull off.

“They have a window punch, they can just punch the windows, so it's not going to be this big loud crashing sound. It just happens in a matter of seconds,” Wagnon told News 9.

News 9 has been covering the rash of Edmond car burglaries for over a year, starting back in February when the thieves hit several cars at a gymnastics facility. The crimes continued through September and October all over the metro.

Police said the group consists of men and women and they usually rent different vehicles.

“They've been known to wear wigs and once they have somebody's ID and checkbook they will go through their own bank usually and cash a check,” Wagnon explained.

The break-ins always start around spring break.

“It's not kids who are bored on spring break, a lot of people think that,” Wagnon said. “This is an organized group. They travel the country and they've been here enough times. They know exactly where to hit.”

If you see a black Nissan Pathfinder with Florida plates lurking in a parking lot, call 911. Police want to at least check it out.