Cars of evacuees burglarized Thursday

According to Colorado Springs police, there were 66 reports of car burglaries from Thursday night, with several of these burglaries taking place at the Crowne Plaza on South Circle Drive and the Best Western on Harrison Road.

KRDO Newschannel 13 talked with a burglary victim Friday outside the Best Western, who has been evacuated since Tuesday.

Elin Vaeth said she and her husband had breakfast Friday morning, and then discovered the rear window of their Jeep had been shattered.

“From what we could initially see, there was probably close to $4,800 worth of stuff taken from part of my vehicle,” said Vaeth.

Vaeth, a photographer, said the thieves took a lens that she had just gotten on Monday. She said she had only been able to use it once before it was stolen.

“The fires are one thing, you can’t control that. We had wonderful people trying to control that which is great. Then when people do this? There are no words,” said Vaeth.

Steve Jarmuzek, also staying at the Best Western, told KRDO Newschannel 13 the thieves stole two digital cameras and some minor paperwork.

“I hope they get caught, I mean hopefully they get caught and punished fully,” said Jarmuzek.

According to police, thieves tend to take advantage during disasters.

“The problem is we have people who are taking this opportunity when people have their valuables in an exposed location or people are away from their valuables and their homes,” said Officer Sid Santos.

Santos suggests leaving nothing of value in cars, saying these items are safer inside the hotel room.

Santos said victims of burglaries and anybody with information regarding the burglaries that happened Thursday should call Springs Police at 719-444-7000.