Monica Hernandez / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS - Vanessa Simoneaux has been training for triathlons near Jefferson Playground for years. But earlier this month, she was shocked when she returned to her car after an early morning bike ride.
"I saw that there was just broken glass everywhere and I looked and it was my own," said Simoneaux. "They took a screwdriver, popped the window, shattered it."
The burglar took off with Simoneaux's purse, and she's not the only recent victim. Officials say there's been a surge in auto burglaries in the past two weeks near parks and recreational spots in the metro area.
"It's a crime of opportunity," said Capt. Henry Dean, commander of NOPD's 3rd District. "And the sad part is that we as civilians, as citizens, we give those opportunities to the criminals."
City Bark is among the spots that have seen an increase. That's where Dean showed our cameras why certain vehicles become targets.
"What's in the canvas bag over there?" asked Dean, pointing inside a Lexus SUV parked in front of City Bark. "Is that a camera bag or a work out bag? I don't know, but I'm a thief and I'm looking to make a dollar, so this could be a target."
Dean said many of the burglaries in the area happen to unlocked vehicles with purses or wallets sitting on the seats. But it can also happen to cars that are locked. Police have seen an increase in thieves smashing car windows to get what they want.
"The common link," said Dean, "would be the property left inside the vehicle."
Audubon Park and the levee behind Audubon Zoo, nicknamed "The Fly," have also seen a surge in auto burglaries. Detectives said plain clothes officers have been patrolling the area in response to the recent uptick.
That's how police captured Kris Livermore, 51, on Tuesday. Police believe he's linked to at least one auto burglary in the Audubon Park area. They said his physical description and black SUV match that of a suspected auto burglar in the area.
But at this point, police have not charged Livermore with auto burglary. He has been booked on drug charges.
Even after Livermore's arrest, there was another auto burglary in front of the Audubon Golf Course Clubhouse Tuesday night.
Now, jogger Lauren Everett said she'll start thinking twice about what she leaves in her vehicle.
"That's kind of upsetting to hear that because people are coming here for a time of leisure, not to be worried about break-ins or things like that," said Everett.
She showed Eyewitness News the items in here car, including a GPS and sunglasses on the center console, as well as bags filled with clothes in the back seat.
"They probably would have had a field day with all my belongings," said Everett.
Meanwhile, victims like Simoneaux say the thief took much more than their property.
"It makes me want to be jaded and cynical," said Simoneaux.
According to police, thieves likely target recreational areas because they know people who park there are concentrating their attention elsewhere, and may not return to their vehicles for hours. Police advise you to lock your doors, roll up your windows, and clear your car of any valuables.
