CRIME ALERT

The Columbia Police Department received five reports yesterday of vehicles being broken into at three different fitness business parking lots (Activity and Recreation Center at 1701 W. Ash Street, All Group Fitness at 3410 Broadway Business Court, and Pro Fitness at 3210 Vandiver Drive) between 9:00 a.m. and noon.  All five vehicles had their passenger window broken with personal belongings stolen from inside.  Witnesses at the different locations observed a black male wearing grey clothing looking in vehicles prior to the vehicles being broken into.   

Precautions for citizens:

1.)     Take personal belonging out of your vehicle ( such as: purses, wallets, lap top computers, IPods cellular phones or weapons).

2.)     Never leave personal information in the vehicle (such as: checkbooks, driver's license, social security cards or credit cards).

3.)      If you are shopping put your packages in the trunk and move your vehicle to a different area of the parking lot.

4.)     ALWAYS lock your vehicle and park in a well lit area

If anyone has information about the individual or individuals involved in these cases or observed suspicious activity or suspicious vehicles around the time of the thefts, please contact the Columbia Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS to remain anonymous.