Auto Break-Ins on the Rise in Shorewood

After an spike in burglaries plagued the Shorewood area last winter, it appears the village now may have a problem on its hand with auto break-ins.

In just more than a week, police have received reports of 10 thefts from vehicles.

On March 29, five vehicles were broken into in a locked parking garage in the 800 block of East Kensington Boulevard, resulting in a total damage and property loss of more than $2,000. Windows were smashed out and several GPS units and stereos were stolen.

Monday, a Shorewood woman told police her wallet was stolen out of her unlocked car in the  4500 block of North Bartlett Avenue. Several credit cards were stolen and fraudulent charges racked up of nearly $200 at Walgreens and a gas station. An attempted charge of $881.17 was tracked to Walmart.

On Friday, the rear driver’s side window was smashed out of a 2003 Infiniti in the 4000 block of North Oakland Avenue and a $1,500 Dell laptop was stolen. The incident caused $250 in damage.

On Monday, a 2006 Chevrolet was targeted in the restaurant parking lot, 1305 E. Capitol Dr. A purse, wallet, cell phone and Visa and Mastercard credit cards taken. The stolen credit cards were used at two different gas stations but police aren’t sure how much was charged.

On Tuesday, $15 in change was stolen after an unlocked garage in the 4400 block of North Lake Drive was entered and two vehicles illegally entered. The incident caused $50 in damage after the dash console was tampered with and another $250 from suspect climbing on the hood of one of the vehicles, leaving a dent.