Police are investigating series of car break-ins on Mud Island, Memphis. The Memphis Police Department released surveillance video of at least one suspect in a gray Honda Accord who vandalized several vehicles along Harbor View Drive and Harbor Isle Circle.
Police said he theft items from several automobiles including a gun.
The suspect was wearing a white t-shirt, faded denim jeans, and a face mask.
If you recognize the vehicle or have any details about the suspect call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
Bennie Cobb, a firearm instructor, said for thieves finding a handgun is like striking gold. Cobb stresses the need for gun owners to know about the proper gun storage practices.
“A lot of the time these vehicular burglars are kids,” Cobb said. “Now you have a gun in the hand of a kid that’s probably going to go out, has already committed one crime when they broke into your vehicle, now they’re going to continue to commit a crime, but now they have a dangerous weapon in their hand.”
Cobb is not just a firearm instructor. He’s a retired captain as well with the Shelby County Sheriff’s office. He says he strongly discourages gun owners from leaving their guns in their vehicles.
However, Cobb says if you’re going to do so, he tells people should be making sure it’s in some form of the gun safe.
“Suspects or subjects breaking into vehicles are specifically looking for guns. They are hoping that they can find a gun because a gun is of value,” Cobb said.
Cobb says most of the time stolen guns are used in other crimes, which could be problematic for the gun owner if the gun has been recovered. He says generally the owner would have to petition through the courts to obtain their weapon.
“If you have the understanding that your gun that you left in your vehicle may be used to commit a crime, to kill a citizen, or to assault a police officer or even somebody that you know, that’s going to be on your conscience for a long time,” he added.
