String of auto burglaries in Hercules being investigated by police

HERCULES, Calif. ( KRON ) — In the East Bay, neighbors in a quiet community were rocked by a string of auto burglaries. Thieves in Hercules attempted to steal or burglarize a half dozen cars in just one day.

Shattered glass from the burglaries was cleaned up so fast, many neighbors in Hercules were completely unaware of what happened.

“It’s really a surprise,” said neighbor Romy Susvilla.

“I had no idea,” said neighbor Betsy Bell.

On Sunday, just off Interstate 80 along Village Parkway Way and Forest Run, the Hercules Police Department said thieves burglarized five vehicles. All were left with broken windows.

“It’s been going on for years, to tell the truth, but it seems to have increased in the last year or two,” said Forest Park Homeowner’s Association board member, Tom White.

Officers were tipped off about the burglaries while police say four suspects were seen near Village Parkway and Hercules Avenue attempting to steal a car. But by the time police responded, the suspects were long gone.

Forest Park was one of the communities targeted by thieves.

“We actually have a parking patrol,” said White, “and we’ve updated our policies, and we do the best we can with it. We do educate the people to be aware of what it is and if they see something to say something.”

White said despite the community being located next to the freeway, the same way in is the same way out, which he says, does not make for an ideal getaway.

“But evidently, it doesn’t seem to deter them a lot,” said White.

A police commander who could not provide the latest burglary statistics to KRON4 did say the string of auto crimes is rare for the area.

“We don’t have activities like that here. But it can happen anywhere,” said neighbor Besty Bell.

That is why police advise those with no other choice than to park outdoors to do so in well-lit areas and do not leave valuables visible inside the car.

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