Police working to solve recent rash of car break-ins

SATSUMA, Ala. (WALA) - Satsuma Police Chief Chris McLean tells FOX10 News at least two thieves stole wallets, purses, handguns and credit cards from vehicles early Friday morning.

The victims were asleep when someone broke into five cars in Satsuma between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Friday.  A home surveillance camera caught a glimpse of two suspects breaking into a car on Chattanooga.

Police said the thieves also struck on Twin Branch and Thomas Road.

"Some of the vehicles were left unlocked, although there was two vehicles that were broken into that were locked, but they were able to jimmy their way in," the chief said.

The suspects didn't waste time using the stolen credit cards.

"The first time that we see the credit cards being used was at 6 o'clock that morning, so they immediately from the time of breaking into the vehicles they immediately raced to the gas stations and started gassing up different vehicles," McLean said.

According to the chief the thieves tried to gas up six cars on one of the cards, but a suspicious clerk declined the transaction.  They did get away with it at some other stations.  

"You can see on the video you can see several vehicles pull up, and then  they'll get out use the credit card and start gassing up vehicles.  They never went inside the stores,  They never purchased anything besides gas that we can tell at this point," the chief explained.

Police were able to retrieve surveillance video from two gas stations, The Pride Express on Highway 45 and I-65, and the Chevron at University Blvd and Overlook Road.

On one picture you can see a suspect standing beside a black SUV. 

McLean said a dark color Caprice and white Caprice, both with 20 inch rims were also gassed up with the stolen credit cards.

Satsuma is apparently not the only community targeted.

"Talking to Saraland and talking to the county, they all seemed to be having the same problem, and it looks to be it's going to be the same suspects all involved, in the same cases," McLean said.

McLean said his department is working with other agencies to solve the crimes.

"We've kind of created a joint task force, and we're combining all out cases, and pulling in all our resources to see if we can get this thing resolved," he said.

Residents in Satsuma may also noticed more officers patrolling the community.

"We've actually increased our patrol in the subdivisions right now.  We have our bicycles out there. Officers on bicycles are keeping a closer eye on the area," he said.

In the meantime, police  said residents in Satsuma may want to take some extra precautions by locking their cars, and making sure nothing of value is left inside them.

Here's are some more details on the individual burglaries.  

An SUV was burglarized in the 300 block of Thomas Road. A purse was taken from the vehicle along with two credit cards and a debit card.

A Crown Royal bag containing about $200 in miscellaneous silver was stolen from another SUV on the same street.

The thieves found a .38 caliber revolver inside a pickup on Chattanooga Drive.

The rear window of Honda on Chattanooga was damaged. A .357 magnum revolving was taken from the car along with a  woman's purse, and a wallet.

A GMC pickup was burglarized on Twin Branch Drive East. That's where the thieves found another .38 caliber gun.

If you have any information on the burglaries or the suspects, call Satsuma Police.