Palm Coast, FL – Authorities in Flagler County are telling people to be on the lookout after 18 vehicles at 2 different Palm Coast hotels were broken into.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says all the break-ins happened Wednesday night into Thursday morning at the Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn on Flagler Plaza Drive.
FCSO spokeswoman Laura Williams says 5 of the vehicles were at the Holiday and the other 13 were at the Hampton. Both properties are close to one another.
“The vehicles each had windows smashed and the contents ransacked,” Williams added. “Deputies found multiple clothing items and suitcases dumped behind the Mobil gas station at Interstate 95 and State Road 100 belonging to the car-break victims.”
Deputies also discovered that a 2014 Hyundai had been stolen from the Holiday Inn Express. It was found abandoned in Volusia County after getting into some sort of accident and investigators think the vehicle was used in these break-ins.
FCSO spokesman Jim Troiano says there’s at least 4 suspects involved and that those suspects may have struck in other parts of the state, including Volusia.
“The scenes in Flagler, Volusia and other counties seem similar, but we are unable to confirm they are related at this time,” Troiano said.
Williams says these suspects likely travel around, pick a spot and then do a lot of break-ins in a short amount of time.
“[They] target vehicles by smashing the window if needed, then taking valuables to include purses and wallets,” Williams stated. “They immediately try to cash any checks they find or use credit cards before they are deactivated.”
Troiano noted that they do have video footage of some of the break-ins but it’s not being released at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call FCSO at 386-313-4911 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477 to remain anonymous and possibly qualify for a cash reward.
Photos above and below of the actual vehicles broken into are courtesy of FCSO.
Copyright 2016 Southern Stone Communications.