Caught on camera: Criminals tried breaking into woman's van; but something scared them away

MILWAUKEE -- Two criminals were caught on camera breaking into a van on Milwaukee's south side -- but they weren't able to get away with the vehicle.

Surveillance video shared with FOX6 News shows the criminals trying to steal Michelle Gaytan's van.

"Surprising. It makes me scared. I'm glad it got caught on camera," Gaytan said.

The attempted theft happened while Gaytan was at work on Tuesday morning, August 2nd. Thieves targeted her van while it was parked on the street.

"It looked like they were able to get into it easy," Gaytan said.

A neighbor's surveillance cameras captured the criminals as they drove up in a black vehicle. The video shows one suspect exiting the vehicle and messing with the door of Gaytan's van. Then, another person can be seen doing the same.

Attempted theft of Michelle Gaytan's van

It happened around 8:15 a.m., and these suspects took their time. Eventually, they were able to get the door open -- but they didn't get away with the van.

"The alarm served its purpose," Gaytan said.

The alarm system scared them off.

Attempted theft of Michelle Gaytan's van

Neighbors told FOX6 News the area where this happened is generally safe, but police said over the past three weeks, there have been seven carjackings in this particular police district -- MPD District 2.

"It kind of scares me because who`s to say something else won`t happen next time and they get away with it?" Gaytan said.

Gaytan said she will be watching her vehicle very closely and looking out for crime on her block. She said she's thankful her neighbor's cameras caught the suspects.

"Thank goodness," Gaytan said.

There was some damage to Gaytan's van around the driver's side door.

Gaytan plans to report this crime to Milwaukee police.

Surveillance camera