Guns and more stolen from 37 vehicles in East Memphis; police seek Mercedes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Guns, wallets, purses, jewelry, and more were stolen in a string of auto break-ins in East Memphis this month, and police say a black Mercedes is connected to all of the crimes.

Police said a total of 37 vehicles were hit in 10 separate auto break-ins between Feb. 9 and 17 at multiple locations including fitness gyms, supermarkets, and a Catholic church.

In one case, a gun was pointed at a security guard who spotted seven males breaking into cars and followed them.

City Council to police: Street takeovers must stop

  • Feb. 9, 6:40 p.m.: Three vehicles burglarized at ATC Fitness, 4682 Spottswood

  • Feb, 9, 7:15 p.m.: Five vehicles burglarized near Firehouse Subs at 5062 Park

  • Feb. 11, 12:50 a.m.: Two vehicles burglarized at High Pockets, 5099 Old Summer Road.

  • Feb. 12, 8:25 p.m.: Seven vehicles burglarized at St. Louis Catholic Church on White Station

  • Feb. 12, 8:37 p.m.: Three vehicles burglarized at Crunch Fitness, 827 White Station

  • Feb. 12, 9 p.m.: One vehicle burglarized at Home Depot, 800 Truse Parkway

  • Feb. 12, 9:19 p.m.: One vehicle burglarized at Kroger, 799 Truse Parkway

  • Feb. 15, 9:20 p.m.: Five vehicles burglarized at ATC FGitness, 4682 Spottswood

  • Feb. 16, 1:39 a.m.: eight vehicles burglarized at Hampton Inn, 33 Humphreys Center Drive. A gun was pointed at a security guard

  • Feb. 17, 3:40 p.m.: Two vehicles burglarized at Sam’s Club, 2150 Covington Pike

Investigators say video shows suspects in a black Mercedes GL 500 SUV with a possible temporary tag Q5DE856 were responsible for the crimes.

Of those 37 cars burglarized, police say wallets, purses, cash, credit cards and jewelry were stolen. In addition to the personal items, a Remington 700 rifle with scope, Springfield AR-10 .308 with scope, Elite 9mm, Glock 9mm were taken from the vehicles, police said.

We tracked down one of the victims and talked with him by phone. His wallet and credit cards were stolen.

“They bashed the right side passenger window in,” he said. “All I could really do is just kinda shake my head and pick up the pieces, literally.”

But as frustrating as replacing credit cards and a smashed window, this victim knows things could’ve been much worse.

“I didn’t die, I didn’t get shot and I do think of things in terms of that because of how frequently it happens here. People will shoot you and then take your stuff rather than the other,” he said.

No arrests have been made. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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