Spree of car break-ins keeping Mishawaka homeowners on high alert

MISHAWAKA — A GPS, an iPod, a purse.

Sounds like normal things you'd find inside any car.

But someone's been up to no good in Mishawaka and a spree of car break-ins is keeping homeowners on high alert.

On Monday night, someone was smashing car windows in a very populated area in Mishawaka.

And they're haven't been shy in stealing what they see.

"We woke up and the window was broken," said Margarita Voelker, one car owner affected by the break-ins. "It feels bad of course."

Voelker is a victim.

"The very first time he left the car out there, and something happen," Voelker said.

Her husband's car window was shattered in a Mishawaka neighborhood, a place they've called home for 11 years.

"Still (this) was not really expected. This is a very safe neighborhood, and we've never had a problem like this before," Voelker said.

Her street wasn't the only target.

About 11 cars in north Mishawaka were hit in the same night, all within the Douglas and Main Street area.

So what stood out about Voelker's car?

"They got a laptop that he had just bought a couple days ago," Voelker said.

The new laptop was in the car back seat.

Sometimes you have no choice but to leave your car outside.

Police said the first thing to attract a thief to your car is leaving something on a car seat.

"You don't want to see that prized possession taken away from you," said Lt. Tim Williams from Mishawaka Police Department.

Police said car owners can be careless and unknowingly invite this crime of opportunity.

"Take the time to make sure you have all the important things out your car," Lt. Williams said.

Voelker feels this recent break-in has violated her privacy.

"It was almost like they were watching us, they knew that this guy never leaves the car out here, we're gonna break into it," she said.

She said the family has learned their lesson but this one time mistake is leaving her a little uneasy.

"That's scary," Voelker said. "We won't do it again, ever."

Police said these types of car break-ins happen at any time of the day, not just at night.

They said apartment complexes have easy access in and out, so those are more of a target than neighborhoods.

Police don't have any suspects at this time.

If you have any information about these car break-ins, call the Mishawaka Detective Bureau at 574-258-1684.

The homeowner WSBT spoke with said no suspicious noises were heard Monday night because it was raining.

All that was heard was the rain.