Suspect targets cars, steals purses

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Police have issued a warning about several daylight car burglaries of vehicles parked at golf courses, country clubs and exercise facilities in the Forest Hills area.

The suspect, who police say stakes out his targets first, has been known to hit cars in which the driver has left behind a purse or wallet. So far, he has struck in Grand Rapids, Cascade and Ada Townships.

He usually smashes the windows, then grabs the items.

The suspect is described as a white man with a thin build who may be in his mid 30s. Police encourage residents to watch for a beige 2000 Lincoln sedan, lock their vehicles and remove valuables from view.

Police warn people to hide chargers for their electronics, too. A thief is more likely to break in to a car that has those cords visible, officers said, assuming the electronic can't be far from the cord.

Chris Michaels said it makes him sick -- knowing someone is breaking into vehicles at MVP Fieldhouse.

As someone whose house was recently targeted, he knows firsthand it's not just items a thief steals.

"Anytime you're personally invaded, it hits home, because you're going to live in fear a little bit," Chris Michaels said. "You've been violated -- it's the personal items, but it's the personal violation that gets to you, and I hope they catch him."

Kent County Sheriff's Department Lt. Kevin Kelley believes one man is responsible for about 12 "smash and grabs."

"It takes less than a minute, and they're in and out," he told 24 Hour News 8 on Thursday. "We don't really know why, but we can speculate these are facilities people run into, and quite often, leave their purses or their wallets behind."

The suspect quickly maxes out credit cards he steals, and commits these crimes during the day.

"Somebody who is walking through the lot at night would be highly suspicious," Kelley said. "Somebody in the middle of the day walking through the parking lot -- I'm not sure people would think that's suspicious."

Police recommend people take on a heightened sense of awareness, and watch what they're leaving behind.

"This day and age, people get desperate," Michaels added. "Times are tough, and people are taking desperate measures to get things."