Armed thieves behind string of car break-ins in Gilbert

GILBERT, AZ (AZFamily) — Armed thieves have been caught on camera breaking into cars in two Gilbert communities.

Gilbert police say the first wave of break-ins happened last week, followed by another round early Monday morning.

One victim says it’s not just the break-ins that bother him. It’s the fact that the thieves are armed. He believes if anyone attempts to stop them or even runs into them, it could quickly turn violent.

“There was stuff missing out of my glove box. My sunglasses thing was flipped open,” said Chris Ward, who had his car broken into. Ward says last Monday, his Gilbert neighborhood was the target of thieves.

Ward said that his windows were down just enough that the thieves could reach in and unlock his car.

Though Ward describes the thieves as “opportunists,” not all of the incidents happened that way. One victim tells us his car door handle was pried off with some sort of tool.

“I have only seen a couple reports so far where there have been broken windows. But there have been reports where they tried house doors as well,” Ward says.

Ring cameras captured the thieves throughout the neighborhood. One incident shows someone in what appears to be a full-face covering holding a gun. There also seems to be a getaway driver in a silver sedan.

“Having somebody break into the truck was definitely alarming but once I saw videos of him brandishing a weapon while trying to break into other vehicles that registered in my mind as we need to get the word out a little better,” Ward said.

This morning, Ward woke up to more chaos. He says neighbors were hit again.

Gilbert police confirmed they received additional reports of car break-ins in two communities near Elliot and Val Vista and Baseline and Val Vista.

“I looked at my cameras, and unfortunately, they didn’t catch anything,” Ward said.

In the meantime, Gilbert police want to remind residents to lock all vehicles and doors and double-check that garage doors are closed and secured. Also, remove all valuables from cars, such as wallets, purses, and firearms. They’re coordinating with other Valley cities to see if there is a burglary trend.

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