Airport hotel car break-ins continue to plague Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WMCH) – It’s been a frustrating few days for a group of drivers after their vehicles were broken into while parked at hotels near John Glenn International Airport.
Karen Ralston recently visited family in Florida. She stayed at a hotel off North Cassady Avenue the night before she flew out. When she got back, she found out her car was broken into.
Bill introduced to eliminate arrest and citation quotas for law enforcement in Ohio
“I looked over at the car over beside me, a lot of glass over there in the other parking spots and I thought why is all this glass here, and then I walked around my car and I went ‘oh crap,’” Ralston said.
The driver’s window on her car was cracked and the rear window on the driver’s side was smashed out.
“I don’t want anybody else to go through what I went through. It’s too much. It is. You’ve got to jump so many hoops, it’s crazy. I’m the victim but yet, they’re getting off easy,” she said.
Ralston’s car was one of 11 broken into between two area hotel parking lots during the early hours of Monday, according to reports from the Columbus Division of Police (CDP).
“Stepped outside and unfortunately yes, my car was one of the cars smashed, my windows, two windows were smashed out on my car,” Luis Arroyo said.
Arroyo stayed at one of the hotels for work.
“Felt violated, definitely did feel violated. I hadn’t had my car parked there for more than three hours before the incident happened, heck of a surprise,” he said.
It’s the third time in three years NBC4 has reported on ten or more cars in the same area being hit in one night. Both Arroyo and Ralston asked why. They said nothing was taken from their vehicles.
“Don’t know what they were targeting but guys, find something better to do with your time, seriously, there are other ways to make money,” Arroyo said. “I know half a dozen businesses right here within walking distance that are looking for employees, there’s got to be something better to do with your time.”
The incidents are still being investigated by CDP. Police suggest parking in well lit areas and not leaving valuables in the car.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
