Sheriff’s office investigating multiple car break-ins in Bluffton area

Over two weeks at least four cars were broken into in areas just outside the town of Bluffton.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office recently received two reports from Olde Town Village, near Tanger Outlet 1, where items were taken out of cars during the early morning of July 4. A group of about five individuals were seen on camera walking around the neighborhood checking if car doors were unlocked. At least two cars were broken into that night, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Master Sgt. Danny Allen.

Officials are using “at least” because it’s possible more cars were broken into, that haven’t been reported.

Last week, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on June 28 and 29, at least four cars were broken into at Bluestone Apartments, near Planet Fitness on Bluffton Parkway. Of those four, two were verified to have items stolen from them. Notably, unlike at Olde Town, some car windows were smashed during these break-ins

Despite relative proximity, the two instances aren’t physically close enough for investigators to believe they are connected. The lack of broken windows at Olde Town further adds to these being separate instances.

These crimes tend to happen at night Allen said, calling them “late-night crimes of opportunity.” To avoid becoming a victim of such crimes, Allen offered the following tips to residents:

• Lock car doors when parked, especially overnight
• Do not leave valuables in your car
• When possible park your car in view of surveillance cameras or buy your own.

Allen also noted it’s beneficial to be proactive with break-ins like these. Anyone who sees a suspicious group during late-night hours, report them to the sheriff’s office non-emergency number or 911.

The sheriff’s office gets reports of car break-ins year-round, though there is an uptick of juveniles committing the crimes during breaks from school, Allen said.