Recent car break-ins and thefts; Milwaukee mayor, police share info

Milwaukee leaders address car-related crimes

Milwaukee police say the number of car break-ins is on the rise and, in most cases, they say its groups of young people. Milwaukee’s mayor and common council president say when the perpetrators are caught, they’ll be held accountable.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee police say the number of car break-ins is on the rise and, in most cases, they say its groups of young people.

Milwaukee’s mayor and common council president say when the perpetrators are caught, they’ll be held accountable.

No place in Milwaukee seems to be immune from a recent rash of car break-ins.

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Addressing car thefts, break-ins in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and other city officials held a news conference to address the uptick in vehicle thefts and break-ins in the city.

"What’s happening now isn’t working. We have to fix it. We’re at a tipping point," said Council President José Pérez.

At a press conference on Friday, Aug. 16, city leaders addressed an increase in these types of crimes.

"We have several special deployments that are being sent out into multiple districts," said Milwaukee Police inspector David Feldmeier.

Milwaukee police would not say where officers are being deployed, but Feldmeier says some are working in plain-clothes in the hardest hit neighborhoods.

"If you have the opportunity to park your vehicle in a garage – please use it. If you have to park in the well-lit areas," added Feldmeier.

Investigators believe the criminals are repeat offenders, a group of teenagers or young adults who smash windows to take valuables inside or worse.

"They’re often looking for weapons to steal – and then go and perpetrate crimes in other parts of the city," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Smashed car window

MPD data shows a 31% increase in "entry to auto" crimes, 307 reported cases from mid-June to mid-July, and 403 from mid-July to this week.

"I want parents to intervene as well in their kids' lives if they have any indication they might be involved," added Johnson.

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Off camera, FOX6 spoke with a woman who says her boyfriend’s car was broken into twice near 2nd and Mineral, once in February, and again sometime overnight.

Their window is still smashed on the sidewalk.

"As arrests are made, I’m going to call on strict accountability for those criminal actions," said Johnson.

FOX6 asked MPD for data on the number of arrests made.

Year-to-date, a spokesman tells FOX6 that police have made 24 arrests for entry into locked vehicles, and 135 arrests for carjackings.