COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Car break-ins and thefts have become widespread in Columbus, leading to growing frustration among residents.
On Wednesday night, several vehicles were targeted on the city’s north side. One victim, Jesse Toy, recounted how a thief broke his car’s window, attempted to steal the vehicle, and made off with his laptop.
“The rear right passenger window is smashed; that’s how they accessed my car. There was also damage to the steering column and ignition, which is barely hanging on,” he explained.
Toy, living in north Columbus, reported the break-in occurred around 11:30 PM on Wednesday. Following the incident, he expressed feelings of defeat.
“Everyone puts in hard work for what they own. It’s disheartening—my car was fully paid off,” Toy remarked.
He is not alone in his experience; other residents in the north Columbus area faced similar break-ins that night.
“Even within an hour of my car being hit, the police mentioned there were several break-ins on Schrock Road as well,” Toy noted.
His neighbor, Ibrahim Bundu, experienced a similar situation two weeks prior, though nothing was stolen from his vehicle.
“Someone broke into my car through the passenger side and rummaged through my glove compartment, taking all my registration and documents. I’m not sure if they actually stole anything; I didn’t notice anything missing,” Bundu said.
Sadly, there’s not much residents can do to stop their vehicles from being targeted.
Kara Hitchens from AAA Ohio suggested that a visible deterrent, such as a steering wheel lock, might discourage thieves.
“Any visible security measure could make thieves think twice, as it shows that people are taking proactive steps to protect their belongings,” she advised.
Toy’s experience mirrors that of many Columbus residents lately, and the trend of thefts and vandalism shows no signs of slowing down. Both Toy and Bundu expressed their concerns about safety.
“If someone can break into a car, they might also target your home,” Bundu warned.
“I’m not sure what’s driving this wave of car break-ins in the city, but it feels like an epidemic,” Toy added.
Hitchens suggested that to minimize the risk of break-ins or theft, it’s best to park in garages, well-lit areas, or places surrounded by other cars.
By: Delaney Ruth, Newsbreak