CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Crime stoppers has a good reminder of why you should always lock your car and never keep your valuables inside.
Police are looking for a young man who broke into a car and stole a debit card.
When he went to the bank, a camera was waiting to take a crystal clear picture but that's not the end, this is a triple whammy.
"We've tried to get the message out but it doesn't click it could happen to them," says Chattanooga Police Officer Kendon Massengale.
If you think it can't happen to you, Chattanooga Police Officers are working 150 to 200 car burglary cases a month!!
"It's a real significant problem two years we've been working on it...there have been a lotta decreases in areas," says Massengale.
Officer Massengale was moved from patrol to property crimes to help tackle the City's growing car burglaries.
He's hoping someone will recognize this young man. Caught on tape trying to use a debit card to steal cash. He tries over and over but never gets it right. The suspect did make off with the victim's purse.
"That's the possibility of your identity stolen, checks, credit cards, a cell phones," says Massengale.
Police say the suspect likely hit about 10 cars in the same Lookout Valley neighborhood last month.
"Most of them were unlocked, ones with items taken had items in plain view," says Massengale.
Other victims with items in plain view were targeted in Downtown Chattanooga.
Investigators are banking on these photos. That someone will recognize these men.
Police say they used a stolen credit card to rack up $800 in shoes at a retailer.
In another case, surveillance cameras captured a car. Police say the person inside used a card stolen from a car parked on carter street.
If you can pick out the men or know who might be inside this car, investigators need your help. In the meantime they have a warning.
"It's a very real possibility that no matter where you live... This could happen," says Massengale.
With that in mind, help investigators stop these thieves before they find your car.
If you know who the young guy is, call Crime Stoppers at 698-3333. You could get a cash reward and the call is confidential.
