Police: At least 30 vehicles broken into at UCF apartments

UCF police are on the hunt for four suspects responsible for a string of vehicle break-ins near Lake Claire Apartments on Monday night, according to the UCF Police Department.

The suspects broke car windows and stole items from 36 cars near the apartment complex and three on-campus Greek houses, according to a UCF news alert. Items were also stolen from three unlocked vehicles.

Around 2:50 a.m., a passerby observed a burglary in progress and alerted UCFPD, according to the release. The suspects fled from police in a car reported stolen in Orange County. They reportedly crashed near Rouse Road and fled. Based on surveillance video, officers believe the burglars then stopped at the Fairfield Inn & Suites at University Boulevard and Rouse Road.

At Lake Claire, officers recovered tools that they believe were used by the suspects, UCF police said. The break-ins may be connected to similar crimes across Central Florida, including car burglaries in Altamonte Springs and near Florida Hospital in Orlando.

UCF Police Chief Richard Berry said there was nothing students could’ve done to prevent the burglaries. The suspects didn’t just break into vehicles that were unlocked or had valuables in sight, he added. “These were bad guys who came with one purpose, and that was to break into vehicles,” he said.

Based on surveillance video, it appears there are four suspects.

A UCFPD officer, a victim advocate and a Housing and Residence Life representative will be stationed at Lake Claire Apartments Wednesday to take reports from students and offer assistance.

Anyone with more information on the crimes should contact UCFPD at 407-823-5555.