NORWOOD – Residents of one Norwood neighborhood woke up to a frustrating and unsettling morning on Friday, June 5, as a rash of overnight vehicle crimes prompted a flurry of early-morning calls to the Norwood Police Department.
Police Chief Chris Padden told Inside Norwood he believes the crimes are related.
Within a span of less than two hours, police responded to three separate reports—including a stolen car and two vehicle break-ins—all concentrated within a tight, mile-wide radius.
Now, investigators are turning to the public for help to identify suspect(s) caught on camera.
The first report was at 6:45 AM when a Columbine Road resident reported that their Volkswagen SUV had vanished from their driveway overnight. Officers responded to the scene, launching an official motor vehicle theft investigation.
Just over an hour later, at 8:04 AM, a homeowner on Laurel Road reported that her vehicle had been broken into during the night. Fortunately, that victim told dispatchers she captured surveillance video footage of the incident (watch video below).
The pattern extended less than a mile away approximately thirty minutes later when police received another call from a Woodland Road resident. The caller reported that their car had also been broken into overnight. Given the tight geographic proximity, police confirmed the crimes occurred during the overnight hours of June 4 into June 5.
Norwood Police Department has launched their investigation asking for the public’s help by posting several still photos to their social media pages.
Inside Norwood was able to access the surveillance footage for the public’s inspection (see below).
If you recognize any of the individuals or have any information that may assist investigators, detectives are asking you to contact them at (781) 440-5100. Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the department’s social media pages.
Additionally, police are asking residents in the Columbine Road, Laurel Road, and Woodland Road neighborhoods to review any doorbell or exterior camera footage they may have from that Thursday night into Friday morning. If you have potential footage or information, you can call the dedicated tip line at 781-440-5181 or email reportatip@norwoodma.gov.
According to NPD, these thieves appear to be targeting unlocked vehicles to steal credit cards, gift cards, cash, and other high-value personal items.
“In many cases, these thieves are looking for the path of least resistance and may be deterred simply by locking your vehicle and securing your valuables elsewhere,” the department noted in their public statement.
To protect your property, Norwood Police remind all residents to stay vigilant and practice basic vehicle security including locking your vehicle even in your own driveway; remove any valuables including keys, key fobs, wallets, cash, or electronics that are inside the vehicle or in plain view.
As always, the Norwood Police Department encourages all residents to trust their instincts and report any suspicious activity immediately. -RD
View surveillance video here: