The Panama City Police Department is investigating a series of vehicle burglaries that have occurred throughout Panama City and surrounding areas.
The crimes are occurring at different times of the day and night and at various locations, mainly in business parking lots. The suspect(s) are breaking out the windows of the vehicles to quickly enter and steal personal property and electronic items that are left in plain view within the vehicles.
Some personal items such as purses have been recovered in trash dumpsters, however credit cards, cash, checks, and personal identification were not recovered with the property. Some of the stolen credit cards taken during the burglaries were fraudulently used at Gas Mart, located at Bus. Hwy. 98 and East Avenue. Other victim’s personal information and credit cards have been since used throughout Florida in various locations.
The series of burglaries began on or about May 14, 2013, and have sporadically continued through May 24, 2013.
To date, there are an estimated 20 or more victims and vehicles burglarized in Panama City and surrounding areas. The financial loss of the personal information and credit card use is yet to be determined as the investigations are
ongoing.
Pictures below are of one suspect entering a store and using multiple credit cards in an attempt to obtain cash from an ATM. The vehicles pictured are a silver/blue Chevrolet used during the burglaries. The car with lights on is believed to be a Dodge or Chevrolet and was driven by the suspect who used the credit cards on May 22, 2013.
Citizens are urged to remove items of value in plain view from their vehicle and to report any suspicious activity in parking lots or around parked vehicles.
If you recognize the suspect, the vehicles pictured or have any information in reference to these crimes, please contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3112, or you can report your tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
