Columbus crime: Wave of car break-ins reported across town

Columbus residents may want to start cleaning out their cars before leaving them unattended.

In two days police here have logged in 17 reports of thieves breaking into automobiles, a crime that becomes more common during the holiday shopping season.

The reports came from all over town. On Friday, police took five reports in the 3300 block of Victory Drive, three in the 2600 block of 52nd Street off Armour Road, and one each on 23rd Avenue off Victory Drive, Bruce Avenue in Oakland Park, Chapel Lake Drive off Pierce Chapel Road, the 3600 block of Weems Road and on 14th Avenue between Cusseta Road and South Street.

On Saturday, police got four more reports, two on Whittlesey Road, one at Ashley Station and another on 18th Avenue.

Police urge car owners to leave nothing valuable in their vehicles, if possible, or at least leave nothing of value in plain sight where "smash-and-grab" thieves would be tempted to break into a car to get it.