On Sept. 17, nearly 20 Cedar Falls residents woke up to find valuable items missing from their vehicles. These car thefts occurred from Olive to Franklin streets and Second to 28th streets.

Cedar Falls Police Department records show 19 car owners reported car thefts between Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Intruders gained access to the vehicles from unlocked doors.

Brittany Wright, junior textile and apparel major, reported stolen valuables to CFPD when she realized those items were missing from her 2013 Chrysler 300 at her apartment on Walnut Street.

“I’m stunned it happened on a random Tuesday,” Wright said. “I’m kind of freaked out, I’m always checking to see who’s Wright’s laptop, laptop charger, ATM card, make-up, jewelry and Thirty-One bag were taken from her car. 

Wright had left her car unlocked the night before, which is how the perpetrator(s) were able to enter the vehicle. 

Wright complimented the CFPD officer who responded to her report.

“He was extremely nice and helpful,” Wright said. 

CFPD Investigator Gavin Carman said the majority of items stolen consisted of golfing equipment, iPods, GPS’ and other miscellaneous items. 

Carman said these types of crimes “tend to go in spurts” normally around the beginning of school due to new students in the area.

CFPD Captain Craig Berte said from June to September, there have been about 40 to 70 car theft reports filed. Berte also said the September 16 and 17 reports were unusual because no windows were broken.

“These were crimes of opportunity,” Berte said. 

Olivia Randolph, human resources assistant for the Culture and Intensive English Program, had her Chevy Cavalier broken into over the summer.

Randolph responded to a knock at her door from local authorities informing her they thought her car had been broken into. Authorities noticed dome lights of her vehicle and neighbor’s vehicles were all turned on and informed owners of the vehicles of suspicious activity.

“It made me feel really uncomfortable,” Randolph said. “If it’s this easy for someone to get in my car, how easy is it for them to get in my apartment?”

Although nothing was stolen from Randolph’s car, a report was filed with police.

Until CFPD has a lead suspect, the reports will be filed in a binder at the police department, said Berte.

To prevent further car thefts, Gavin advises to lock car doors, keep valuables out of site and vehicles parked in well-lit areas.