Authorities warn of rash of vehicle burglaries at trailheads in El Paso County

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office issued a release Monday alerting people to a rash of vehicle break-ins occurring at trailheads from Monument to Fountain.

One victim posted on Facebook that her vehicle was burglarized this weekend at the Rampart Dog Park in northeast Colorado Springs, saying that it happened during her 30 minutes there and that the thief immediately tried to spend $700 from her stolen credit cards.

Sgt. Deborah Mynatt, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office, said there have been 24 such burglaries reported this year but most of them have happened since summer when the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in outdoor activities.

Mynatt said the Sheriff's Office believes that a group of thieves is committing the crimes by closely watching people who park at trailheads, determine if any valuables have been left inside and breaking door glass to gain entry.

"These crimes take only a matter of seconds," she said. "We think they're casing the area from a vehicle parked at a trailhead and then relaying information to other suspects."

In most instances, Mynatt said, the thieves immediately take stolen credit cards to nearby stores to purchase big-ticket items or gift cards.

The Sheriff's Office released this photo from a store surveillance camera of a suspect trying to cash in on a stolen card.

And the pandemic is making it harder for authorities to identify the suspects involved, Mynatt said.

"It's because people are wearing masks now," she said. "But we can use mannerisms that the suspects exhibit on surveillance video to help identify them, as well."

Mynatt said the Sheriff's Office issued the release to inform people that such burglaries can be reduced or prevented if people avoid leaving valuables -- or anything a thief might think is valuable -- in a vehicle.

"People think they are hiding a wallet or purse under a seat or placing it in a glove compartment for security," she said. "But if a thief sees you doing that, you'll be a target. Even locked glove compartments or containers between seats aren't that secure if a thief is determined to get something out of there. "

Mynatt advises you to always be aware of your surroundings, keep your vehicle locked and never store anything of value inside.

"Thieves may have the desire and ability to commit a crime, but you can eliminate the opportunity they have if you follow those steps," she said.

If you have more information about these crimes, or can identify any of the suspects pictured, contact the Sheriff's Office tip line at 719-520-6666.