NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Residents in a Norfolk neighborhood near Ward’s Corner are concerned after several cars were broken into and vandalized.
Residents, including Schwanda Sessoms, are hoping to see more patrol cars in their neighborhood behind Granby High School. She said she is concerned for her neighbors safety.
“We’re not going to stand for it on this street,” Sessoms said. “I know I don’t wish them to take it nowhere else, but I don’t wish them to bring it here either.”
Sessoms said her car was broken into on Maycox Avenue in early July. Her husband’s car was broken into as well.
“Fingerprints were all over, scratches were all over,” Sessoms said. “You could tell where they tried to get into the car.”
Sessoms believes the suspects were trying to steal it, but said since it’s keyless entry, the car’s security system prevented them from doing that. She said some of her personal items were stolen, including her driver’s license, along with loose change in the car.
“Not only are they doing it to our cars, they’re doing it to our homes,” Sessoms said, “and we have elderly in this community that live on this street and you’re scared to come out at night.”
Sessoms’ neighbors didn’t feel comfortable going on camera, but many said they’re experiencing this too. She had several statements from at least six different neighbors describing what they’ve been through.
“My car has been broken into twice and my house was broken into — many valuables stolen, no one was ever caught,” Sessoms said.
Sessoms and other neighbors have installed doorbell cameras to hopefully catch a glimpse of who is doing this. In some cases, neighbors have taken matters into their own hands.
“Neighbors were chasing prowlers who had hid in the yard under my kid’s window,” Sessoms said.
Sessoms has filed a police report, but said what she really wants to see is increased patrols on her street.
“It would break my heart to see them come out and someone is robbing and taking from them and they’re unarmed and the person that is robbing them are armed and shoot and kill them so police they really need to be aware and they need to step up and really patrol our community,” said Sessoms.
Norfolk Police said the investigation into Sessoms’ case is ongoing. If you know anything that could help, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.