Pelham Bay community members shaken after overnight string of car break-ins, airbag thefts
The break-ins were reported near Pilgrim and St. Theresa avenues, and Edison Avenue.
Community members in Pelham Bay woke up Tuesday morning to shattered windows, stolen airbags and thousands of dollars in potential damage a few cars were broken into overnight across the neighborhood.
The vehicles targeted were Hondas, including one belonging to a woman named Dee, who said she received a phone call from a neighbor shortly before 6 a.m. informing her that her car had been broken into.
“Bad news, your car was broken into,” the neighbor told her. “I just came down and bumped into this.”
The break-ins were reported near Pilgrim and St. Theresa avenues, and Edison Avenue.
One of the damaged cars had its window smashed and airbag ripped out, with shattered glass scattered across the street.
Dee said the incident immediately disrupted her day and could leave her facing costly repairs.
“I can’t even think straight,” she said.
She said she was forced to call out of work and is now considering renting a car while trying to repair the damage.
“I’m a little frustrated. I have a pregnant daughter, and I can’t take her to work,” Dee said. “I’m just here trying to figure out how to fix my car.”
Neighbors told News 12 that car break-ins have become a recurring problem in the area.
“How often do you see things happen? Often enough,” one resident said. “I had my car broken into several times.”
Another neighbor said, “It’s been going on in this neighborhood for several years.”
Residents described the incidents as upsetting in a neighborhood they say is typically quiet.
“This neighborhood is quiet and respectable. This should never happen,” one community member said.
“It’s really horrible because we live in this neighborhood,” another resident added.
Some residents are now calling for an increased police presence in the area.
“Once in a while they’ll come one or two times, then you don’t see them again for another week,” one resident said. “I’d prefer to see them here every day.”
“Would be nice to see more police activity around here,” another neighbor said.
News 12 reached out to police for confirmation and comment but had not heard back as of Tuesday afternoon.
