SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three vehicles were stolen in three nights in Spring Hill, and police are asking for the public's help to find the suspects.

According to the Spring Hill Police Department, Spring Hill has averaged 24 stolen cars annually over the last three years.

Through Wednesday, Nov. 5, the city has seen 12 cars stolen, according to police. If there is an oddity, police reported three auto thefts over three consecutive nights.

It began on Oct. 26. That's when a 2021 Mercedes G-Wagon, valued at $150,000, was stolen from a Spring Hill apartment complex.

A police body camera captured the moment Spring Hill police spoke with the car owners who had just learned their expensive car was gone.

"When was the last time you saw the car?" an officer asked.

"Around 8 or 8:30," the victim responded.

"8 or 8:30?" an officer asked again.

"It's just shocking," the victim said. "I didn't know. It's just like shocking."

The next night, Oct. 27, there was another victim at another apartment complex. This time, a Chevy Trailblazer was stolen.

According to police, the SUV was recovered in Columbia, Tennessee. While the vehicle was found, police said the Glock 17 that was inside the car is still missing.

"If you are gonna leave your gun in a car, leave it in a lock box, secured or preferably, take it home with you, inside, your house or apartment because you don't want that gun to show up in a homicide later on, or used in a crime that is 100% preventable," SHPD Lt. Mike Foster said.

On Oct. 28, another car was stolen. A video shows a person getting into a Dodge Challenger and starting it without the key.

According to police, the suspect broke out a window in the 2021 Challenger to access the vehicle, which was later recovered in Nashville.

The owner said the car was recovered with only minor damage and is now at the shop being repaired. The owner told police that he is very careful about locking his car, going as far as to keeping his keys in a bedroom in the home because he is wary of the possibility of thieves using key fob programmers to steal signals and then access vehicles.

But the owner said that's possibly how the thieves were able to steal his car.

Police body camera captured the conversation between the officer and the victim.

"Your neighbor said she heard your car start up around 3:30, then peel off," the officer said.

The officer was trying to piece the case together, asking the victim pertinent questions.

"So it is weird, so far, nobody else in the neighborhood has called about vehicles being broken into," the officer said. "Usually, when you find one, they are checking door handles. Your keys weren't in it?"

"No," the victim responded.

"So it's odd that the video just shows them opening the door, hopping in the car, then taking off, you know, versus scurrying around and like, 'Oh I found a spare key.' Or maybe it's almost like it is preplanned; they were coming for your car," the officer said.

"I don't know," the victim responded. "It was locked. I always make sure my car is locked."

Police said that anyone who recognizes the suspect getting into the 2021 Challenger, or suddenly notices a neighbor driving a G-Wagon, should give the SHPD a call.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/spring-hill-police-tracking-string-of-auto-thefts/