Investigators with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) Property Crimes Unit (PCU) are reviewing surveillance video to identify the suspects accused of committing a series of auto break-ins at several hotels and neighborhoods.
Multiple cars and pick-up trucks were broken into from May 28, 2025 — June 1, 2025 in Southeast Columbia near Garners Ferry Road and Interstate 77, the Harbison area, and North Columbia in the Candi Lane/River Drive areas.
CPD Investigators are working to determine if the crimes are related. Auto break-ins often spike as juveniles are out of school or when summer begins. CPD Investigators believe juveniles or young adults either broke into the vehicles or gained entry through unlocked doors in the Southeast and Harbison incidents. In all of the cases, items stolen include money, debit cards, miscellaneous jewelry, identification documents, and firearms.
Auto break-ins are considered ‘crimes of opportunity,’ where criminals check to determine if vehicle doors are unlocked or if personal items are visible.
Here are safety tips to help properly secure your vehicle and personal items, including firearms:
- Lock doors and windows
- Remove or hide valuables
- Don’t leave a spare key inside the vehicle
- Invest in a security alarm
- Properly secure firearms in a lock box with a gunlock on the firearm
- Never leave a firearm in plain view inside a vehicle
- Report gun theft to police
Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook says that while CPD Investigators work leads in the case, citizens’ surveillance video to aid the case should be uploaded through this link:
https://columbiapdsc.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/250012248
Citizens with information about the crimes can also contact Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
LOG onto www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
DOWNLOAD the new P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.