Thief ransacks at least a dozen cars in Henrico neighborhood - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

A rash of thefts from cars has a west end neighborhood on high alert.

It happened on at least six streets in the Tall Timbers subdivision off of Staples Mill Road. At least a dozen neighbors woke up to find their cars a mess, and money stolen out of them.  Now the biggest questions they have are: Who did this, and why?

Karen Thompson discovered quite a mess here Monday morning.

"You feel invaded, in a way. That something was broken into, of yours, and that they were right there," Thompson said.

Karen would soon find out she wasn't the only one. Susan Hughes, and at least a dozen others lost mostly cash or loose change from their cars. Things that were valuable...if not educational.

"They didn't take my books. I figured if they stole books, then, you know, God bless 'em," Hughes said with a chuckle.

It happened sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning. A thief -or thieves- walked up to a lot of vehicles, carefully choosing only the ones that were left unlocked.

"It was a real surprise when this happened," said Russell Macneal.

Russell's lived here 27 years. So have Susan and Karen. Long enough to know it's a rare rash of crime here.

"We live in a safe neighborhood. Nothing ever happens," Hughes said.

ANDY: "But it's not a habitual thing?"

KAREN: "No. No. Every once in a while in the summer."

But old habits have to change, they say.

"It was unlocked. I don't usually lock the door," Thompson said.

"But we do keep them locked now," said Macneal with a smile.

A simple step in hopes of preventing the next wave of neighborhood crime.

Neighbors here suspect teenagers are responsible, but police don't have good enough leads to  confirm that. What the authorities do remind people to do, is keep their cars and their homes locked at night.

If you witnessed anything suspicious in Tall Timbers between Sunday night and Monday morning, call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

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