Spartanburg, South Carolina: A fretting wave of car break-ins at a popular local gym’s parking area has triggered a more comprehensive investigation by Spartanburg police.

Car Break-ins Prompt Investigation

The local law enforcement is now scrutinizing several car break-ins that happened in broad daylight at a bustling shopping plaza near Planet Fitness along E Main Street, Spartanburg, SC. Four vehicles were found with signs of forced entry last Sunday, catching the attention of gym-goers and the police alike.

“Often, people leave their vehicles unlocked, which facilitates thefts, however, in this incident, all the cars were locked, prompting the thieves to use diverse methods to gain access,” noted Major Art Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department. This ongoing investigation’s peculiarity is the timing of the misdemeanors as they took place in broad daylight.

The Break-ins Persist Despite Precautions

An extensive clientele of Planet Fitness and the nearby businesses shares the parking lot, making it a bustling area. Jessica Reece, an employee at a neighboring business, expressed her surprise over the brazen break-ins. “I have personally never experienced such inconsiderate deeds,” she said.

The police report suggests that the break-ins occurred between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The perpetrators used tools, possibly a screwdriver, to tamper with the driver-side door keyholes. After causing significant damage, they managed to open the doors.

Stolen Items Raise Concerns

The stolen items varied from wallets and credit cards to a firearm, stirring alarming concerns over public safety. “There is an emerging trend where miscreants are specifically looking for firearms,” Major Littlejohn said. After analyzing local statistics of similar crimes from the previous year, the Spartanburg police deduced that firearms were found in one out of every five broken-in cars. This shocking discovery has appalled the local population and authorities.

“Cars are certainly not safe storage for firearms. Hence, our advice to the public is to ensure that firearms are securely stored indoors, particularly at night. The glove compartment is not a secure place to store weapons,” Major Littlejohn advised.

This incident has just underlined the urgency of ensuring better security measures for vehicles and proactively preventing such crimes. The public anticipates a swift resolution to this convoluted investigation at hand.