$10,000 worth of items, including six guns, stolen in Lincoln vehicle break-in spree

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department is investigating a spike in vehicle break-ins over the last week across the capital city.

From March 29 to Thursday, there were 68 vehicle break-ins reported in Lincoln, according to police.

Six handguns were among the items stolen.  Police said that 36 vehicles had their windows broken and that 27 were unlocked.

Investigators estimate that $9,900 in belongings were stolen and that the vehicles had around $13,400 in damage.

Vehicle break-in stats via LPD

Clusters of thefts were reported in neighborhoods near 27th Street and Pine Lake Road.

On Friday morning, several more break-ins were reported in the Big Thompson Creek neighborhood near 56th Street and Pine Lake Road.

A user of the NOW Local News App shared a video of police investigating a vehicle break-in in that area.

Richard Garner, who lives in the neighborhood, said he had two cars broken into around 4 a.m. Friday.

He said he lost a variety of items, including a Columbia jacket worth $160.

Personal hygiene products were stolen from the center console of his daughter’s car.

“But they left behind on that one her sweatshirt and her gift cards,” Garner said. “So I don’t know if they were just in a hurry and didn’t notice or what.”

Garner shared a security video that shows a car driving around his cul-de-sac and stopping near his house.

The video didn’t catch whoever got out of the car and smashed the windows.

“This is not something we consider that happens around here,” Garner said. “Kids do kids things sometimes, but this seems a lot more organized.”

He recommends that everyone get security cameras and lock up their cars at night.

“This is still an extremely safe place, so I’m not worried, worried,” he said. “I’m just more vigilant.”