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MIDVALE — More than 50 vehicles in Midvale and Cottonwood Heights were burglarized overnight in a smash-and-grab spree.
Unified police say about 50 cars were broken into at five different locations in their jurisdiction — mostly hotel and apartment complex parking lots — and a handful more in Cottonwood Heights.
The Holiday Inn Express, 7134 S. 700 East, was the hardest hit, with about 20 vehicles burglarized, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
"They were breaking a window and grabbing whatever they can," he said.
They were breaking a window and grabbing whatever they can.
–Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal
After breaking into a vehicle, the burglars would rummage through the glove boxes and center consoles. Power tools, cameras and iPods were among the items stolen, along with bigger items such as golf clubs.
Some cars had a driver's- or passenger-side window broken out and the burglars went through the vehicle, but nothing was stolen, Hoyal said.
Even though the hotel parking lot was well-lit, Hoyal said the burglars worked fast. Detectives believe more than one person was responsible, he said.
- (5) Springs at Country Woods, 6900 S. 900 E.
- (15) Creek View Apartments, 981 South Union Ave.
- (9) Riverwalk apartments, 6968 Park Trail
- (20) holiday inn express 7200 S. 700 E.
- (1) inn town suites, 151 W. 7200 S.
Cottonwood Heights police were able to get a possible vague suspect description from the incident. Investigators were looking Thursday for a white compact car with three males inside.
But, police have a better lead after one of the suspects left a drop of blood in one of the victim's car.
Most of the victims of the car burglaries are having a good attitude about the situation. Jayme Quinn lost an I-Pod, but she's not bitter.
It's the way things go," Quinn said. "I'm not going to get too upset over it because it does no good for me. They're going to find them if they find them, but if they don't, they don't."
Police started receiving calls from people discovering their cars had been broken into about 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
Hoyal said the incident was a good reminder for all drivers: "Don't leave your valuables in your car."
Anyone with information on the burglaries can call police at 801-743-7000.
