WOODBURY, Minn. — Woodbury Police are urging drivers to lock their vehicles and close their garage doors after 21 vehicles have been stolen throughout the city since July 30.
Tammye and Mike Cleveland's car was taken from outside a business on August 1.
"I was shaken but it was more disbelief than anything else because it did happen so fast," said Tammye, who is adamant she turned off the car, locked it and took the key fob with her inside the store.
"Did my purchases, came back out and no car," said Tammye. She says store surveillance video shows a small, grey car pull up near her vehicle - a scene Woodbury Police reports is playing out across the east side of the city.
"If I had to guess, I think it’s younger people looking for a thrill," said Woodbury Police Commander John Altman. "We really need people to get the garage doors down and make sure the keys are secured."
Woodbury Police say 14 cars were taken from driveways and seven from garages. They've also notified 30,000 people with a "code red" alert system about these crimes of opportunities that, no matter where you live, are easily avoidable.
Officials say they've made some arrests but they're still searching for other suspects.
They have also recovered about half of the vehicles. However, some are destroyed, like the Cleveland's car.
"At first you’re angry, really mad, but then anger goes away and frankly, I forgive them," says Mike. "They’re not getting away with anything; it’ll catch up to them."
Another problem for the couple is just how hard it is to buy a car right now.
Used cars sales are skyrocketing amid the pandemic and the shortage of computer chips have pushed their prices to record levels. For now, they'll keep driving a rental from their insurance company.
Police are also encouraging people to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.