Columbus neighborhood hit overnight by mass string of car break-ins

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — A string of car break-ins is once again affecting Columbus residents. This time, more than a dozen were hit in the Harrison West neighborhood, leaving victims to pick up the pieces.

Dozens of residents on the 800 and 900 blocks of Ingleside Drive woke up to the same sight: glass shattered inside and outside their cars, at least one window smashed and their personal items rifled through. Residents said they are frustrated and this is not the mess they wanted to be cleaning up this morning.

“I was leaving and someone was coming up to me and they were like, ‘Is this your car?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah,’ and he was like, ‘It got broken into. There’s about 20 other cars that got their windows smashed.’ And then I looked over on the side and there it was,” McKenzie Sklar said.

According to the Columbus Division of Police, the break-ins happened shortly before 3 a.m. A spokesperson with the department said officers received multiple property destruction in progress calls.

Many residents said they walked out to their cars this morning in disbelief.

“I was really bummed,” Michaela Casciano said. “They didn’t take anything, which is good. It’s more of just an inconvenience.”

In fact, most affected residents said nothing was stolen. Some were missing maybe a few dollars. McKenzie Sklar tells me all that was taken was a quarter and a penny.

“I almost wish they did take something to make it more worth it,” Casciano said. “They went through all my stuff, but they didn’t take any of the coins or anything somewhat valuable. They didn’t take anything. So now it’s just something that I have to deal with throughout my work day.”

Police say an exact total of just how many cars were hit is unclear, but NBC4 noted at least 15 on the scene. Many who spoke with NBC4 said they try to leave nothing of value in their cars.

“I try not to. I do like my papers and then like my E-ZPass, or things that I find a value, but nothing super, super crazy,” said Casciano.

“People always talk about leaving your car unlocked and just letting them open it vs. locking it. And I’ve kind of dealt with that back and forth, but I always lock my car,” Sklar said. “But I know not to leave anything in there just because in the off chance reason that it does get broken into, there’s nothing to take.”

While NBC4 was still on scene, CPD came back. Officers could be seen talking with victims, asking if anything of value was taken.

As of right now, police said they do not have any suspect information. Anyone with information is urged to contact CPD.

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