Crestview Police investigating rash of car burglaries Resident shot at with own stolen pistol

June 23, 2017

by Brian Hughes

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department is investigating a rash of overnight car burglaries in the Fox Valley subdivision off Antioch Road, one of which resulted in the victim being shot at with his own gun as the burglars fled.

All of the vehicles were left unlocked, and one, in which the keys were left in the car, was stolen.

As of 11:30 Friday morning, the Dispatch Center received 10 reports of vehicle burglaries, including the stolen car. Dispatchers continued to receive reports throughout the morning as victims headed out for work only to discover their vehicles had been burglarized.

Dispatcher Mackenzie Edwards and Investigator Josh Burgess had identical advice for local car owners:

“Lock your doors!” both said.

The resident who was shot at had loaded belongings in his car and left it unlocked while he went back into his home for more things. Allegedly, two black males broke into the car, ransacked it, and were in the process of stealing the vehicle when the resident confronted them.

The thieves shot at him with his own gun, which they had stolen from the car, according to Officer Corey Newcomb. The resident was unharmed and the shooters are still at large.

“We are extremely busy,” Sgt. Lucas Kraus, who is the shift sergeant on duty, said. “We are still taking (vehicle burglary) reports. We’ve had a heck of a morning.”

Kraus said in addition to the car burglaries in Fox Valley, others occurred in the nearby Whitehurst Lane neighborhood. He asked residents in those neighborhoods who have home surveillance systems to please review their camera video. If they see anything suspicious, please contact the Crestview Police Dispatch Center at 682.2055 immediately.

“This is all happening because people won’t lock their (vehicle) doors,” Newcomb said.