Valuables, identity at risk at metro Phoenix trailhead
Jun 4, 2013, 4:11 PM | Updated: 4:11 pm
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department urges people to be cautious about leaving personal belongings inside their vehicles while hiking in Phoenix, after multiple victims reported burglaries taking place at trailhead parking lots.
Over the past few weeks Phoenix police officers and detectives followed investigative leads on multiple car burglaries at several different trailheads in the Phoenix metro area. The five suspects, aged between 28- to 43-years-old, have been arrested and charged with burglary-related as well as auto theft charges, according to Phoenix police.
The suspects used stolen credit cards at retail, convenience stores and online. They were identified by Phoenix police and search warrants were issued on May 31 with the help of Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) detectives and officers from various precincts including Desert Horizon, Mountain View and Cactus Park.
Over 25 women’s purses were recovered. Other items, such as receipts tied to stolen credit cards and burglary tools including walkie-talkies, gloves and binoculars were also discovered were also found. The suspects appeared to be working as a group, riding on their bicycles and breaking into cars parked near the trailheads.
Phoenix police are asking anyone with information concerning these burglaries to please call Crime Stop at (602) 262-6151 or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.