Crooks hitting the west side of Yakima
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YAKIMA, Wa. -- Neighborhoods known for being calm and quiet here in Yakima are seeing some unusual activity.
The KIMA Crime Tracker uncovered an increase in car prowls and break-ins. They're happening west of 40th Avenue near Summitview. Action News discovered dozens of break-ins over less than two months.
A neighborhood off 65th and Summitview is known for safe, quiet streets that is until recently. Ashleigh Caldwell was walking out of her boyfriend's home when she got a surprise.
"I was parked right here in the yard and I see this girl crawling on the ground," said Caldwell "At first, I was thinking, well is it my younger brother's girlfriend, you know, trying to scare me play a prank or something.
It was not a prank, instead she walked into a car prowl.
"She pops up on my driver side door and I clicked my phone on,” said Caldwell. “She saw the light come on and she took off."
Not everyone has been so lucky. Over the last couple months, there's been a spike in car prowls and break-ins happening west of 40th Avenue near Summitview, reaching as far as 96th. Since the end of May, 64 have been reported. That's extremely high for the area.
"Honestly, I think maybe because it is a nicer neighborhood and people think it's ok to leave their car unlocked," said Caldwell.
Police said they don't know why crooks are now hitting neighborhoods on the west side of town, but they are asking people to report any suspicious behavior. Caldwell has changed her behavior to protect herself.
"I have nothing in the car when I leave it and I make sure all the windows are rolled up," she said.
Small steps, that could make a big difference to prevent becoming a victim.
At least three witnesses said they saw a man and a woman breaking into cars together around that area of Summitview. Police can't say exactly how many car prowls they could be connected to.
The KIMA Crime Tracker uncovered an increase in car prowls and break-ins. They're happening west of 40th Avenue near Summitview. Action News discovered dozens of break-ins over less than two months.
A neighborhood off 65th and Summitview is known for safe, quiet streets that is until recently. Ashleigh Caldwell was walking out of her boyfriend's home when she got a surprise.
"I was parked right here in the yard and I see this girl crawling on the ground," said Caldwell "At first, I was thinking, well is it my younger brother's girlfriend, you know, trying to scare me play a prank or something.
It was not a prank, instead she walked into a car prowl.
"She pops up on my driver side door and I clicked my phone on,” said Caldwell. “She saw the light come on and she took off."
Not everyone has been so lucky. Over the last couple months, there's been a spike in car prowls and break-ins happening west of 40th Avenue near Summitview, reaching as far as 96th. Since the end of May, 64 have been reported. That's extremely high for the area.
"Honestly, I think maybe because it is a nicer neighborhood and people think it's ok to leave their car unlocked," said Caldwell.
Police said they don't know why crooks are now hitting neighborhoods on the west side of town, but they are asking people to report any suspicious behavior. Caldwell has changed her behavior to protect herself.
"I have nothing in the car when I leave it and I make sure all the windows are rolled up," she said.
Small steps, that could make a big difference to prevent becoming a victim.
At least three witnesses said they saw a man and a woman breaking into cars together around that area of Summitview. Police can't say exactly how many car prowls they could be connected to.
