ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs police said they are searching for the thieves who broke into about 18 vehicles in a gated neighborhood.
The break-ins happened at the Altamira Place apartments near the Altamonte Mall.
Police said each vehicle had a smashed window and items were missing.
"I'm just checking right now. So, I just opened the door; so far, a pair of sunglasses. I need to check my trunk and see if anything else is missing, said victim Jose Ayala. "It's a gated community, so it's really strange for us to see something like this."
At one point, police said they used K-9 and a helicopter to track possible suspects.
Crime scene technicians searched for fingerprints on the vehicles and snapped photos.
"We only got the report of one suspect description. However, with the number of vehicles, I would venture to say it was more than just one. Especially, that they were all smashed and residents called as soon as they heard the smashing of the windows," said Lt. Rob Pelton of the Altamonte Springs Police.
Most of the vehicles were a mess inside with owner's belongings scattered around the car, along with broken glass.
The complex is gated, but police said it's unclear if the suspects entered on foot or in a vehicle of their own.
WFTV
