Close to 20 cars broken into at condo complex

KENDALL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Kendall condo residents woke up Monday morning to find someone had broken into scores vehicles overnight.

According to residents of Sunset Condominiums on Sunset Drive and 108th Avenue, up to 20 cars were broken into Monday, between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. The car windows had been smashed and thieves tried to get away with any small items they could grab. However, larger and more expensive items were left behind, including a gym bag with expensive sneakers and university text books.

Police said, so far, they have received 17 reports of break-ins to cars in that neighborhood.

The biggest concern for residents is that this is not the first time this has happened at Sunset Condors, and they need the association to do something. Victim Christy Charters said, "Six months ago was the last time, and they just ransacked the entire car, the glove compartment, everything. They took a little charm bracelet I had hanging on the mirror, and this time there was a knife involved because we saw a knife on the ground, they must have tried to use it to pry things open."

Victim Michelle Zaldivar adds, "There is really no security, no gate code to get in. Everybody just gets in and out. So, it's either someone who lives here and knows where the cars are or is just walking in."

Residents said there was once a patrolling security guard at the community, but that recently stopped.

Miami-Dade Police have taken a blood sample at the scene, and they plan to run that in their data bank to see if they can identify this individual with a criminal past.

If you have any information on these burglaries, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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