PANAMA CITY -- Panama City Police are investigating a series of vehicle burglaries that have occurred throughout Panama City and surrounding areas.
Police said Friday in a news release the crimes are occurring at different times of the day and night and at various locations, mainly in business parking lots. The suspects are breaking out the windows of the vehicles to quickly enter and steal personal property and electronic items that are left in plain view within the vehicles.
Some personal items such as purses have been recovered in trash dumpsters, however, credit cards, cash, checks and personal identification were not recovered with the property.
Some of the stolen credit cards taken were fraudulently used at Gas Mart, located at Bus. Hwy. 98 and East Avenue. Other victims’ personal information and credit cards have been since used throughout Florida in various locations. The series of burglaries began on or about May 14 and have s6poradically continued through Friday. To date, there are an estimated 20 or more victims and vehicles burglarized in Panama City and surrounding areas.