Thieves bust into 11 cars at Columbus shopping plaza just feet security cameras

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus police are investigating a rash of car break-ins over the weekend in a west Columbus shopping plaza parking lot.

“I kind of just threw my hands up and said ‘Okay, lets call police and get this taken care of,'” Joe Osterfeld said.

Osterfeld’s car was broken into early Saturday morning outside a Planet Fitness on Soldano Boulevard. He parked his car in front of the gym around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, and when he returned an hour later, he noticed the driver’s window was shattered.

“I think it says a lot, how emboldened these criminals are,” he said. “The sun was coming out and they were still able to bust into 10 or11 windows, which is very frustrating.”

Osterfeld took cell phone video of the other cars that were targeted by the crooks. While he didn’t have anything stolen, others were not so lucky.

The thieves committed their crimes just feet from security cameras outside the gym and not far from a surveillance tower sitting in the parking lot.

Columbus police said they have been investigating the car break-ins after receiving reports since August.

This is not the only Planet Fitness where cars were broken into over the weekend. Someone posted on social media that five vehicles were broken into in front of a Planet Fitness on Roberts Road.

“This is such a widespread problem right now,” Osterfeld said. “I do think some common sense to increase security and safety is needed.”

The break-ins come just days after ABC 6 walked a northside parking lot with police on the lookout for vehicles that are open invitations for thieves during the holidays

“Any type of bag that they leave in their car can pique their curiosity,” Columbus Police Commander Shannon Stephens said. “They don’t know if the bag is going to be a jackpot with credit cards.”

Police began increasing officer patrols and presence in shopping parking lot crime hot spots a few months ago.

ABC 6 is waiting to hear from Planet Fitness Corporate offices after requesting comment about the car-break-ins.

As police search for the suspects, Osterfeld cautioned everyone not make their vehicle the next target

“You should leave your doors unlocked, and don’t keep anything valuable in your car,” he said.