"Glass all over the place:" Auto glass shop owner estimates he's helped 50 drivers hit by vandals

MILWAUKEE -- Dozens of car owners say their vehicles were broken into over the weekend, and on Monday, June 6th, FOX6 News learned the crime spree was causing a backlog at one auto glass repair shop.

"It's always unfortunate," Tom Almaghrabi said.

On Monday, Almaghrabi was hard at work at his business, Safe Auto Glass -- helping drivers pick up the pieces.

"There's glass all over the place -- on the floor, seat, carpet," Almaghrabi said.

Dozens of smashed windows have been reported this month.

Tom Almaghrabi

"We've been asking most of our customers 'what did they take out of your car?' People have said 'they took my laptop. They took my iPhone. They took my charger,'" Almaghrabi said.

Between Almaghrabi's shop on S. 27th Street and four service trucks, Almaghrabi said he helped more than 50 drivers whose vehicles were vandalized this weekend. Some cars has one window smashed, while three were busted out of a Mercedes Almaghrabi was working on.

Car break-ins

His tip for drivers? Keep a clean car.

"Do not leave anything on your seat. Do not leave anything that will give people a reason to break in," Almaghrabi said.

Tom Littmann was hit near 10th and Mitchell.

"There's actually a couple hundred dollars worth of sunglasses in there," Littmann said.

Other cars were targeted in Milwaukee's Third Ward.

Car break-ins

Tom Littmann

"I don't know if it's the generation today or they just don't understand one or two seconds requires hours of getting it into service and and a few hundred dollars to replace," Littmann said.

Littmann said he hopes someone is held accountable for the vandalism, but for now, he was the one paying.

Police tell FOX6 News one person has been taken into custody in connection with this rash of break-ins.

Car break-ins