Business owners and gym members in Louisville’s Fern Creek neighborhood are on alert following a recent series of vehicle break-ins in a shared parking lot near Hurstbourne Parkway and Bardstown Road.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Business owners and gym members in Louisville’s Fern Creek neighborhood are on alert after a string of vehicle break-ins in a shared parking lot near Hurstbourne Parkway and Bardstown Road.
The lot, which serves about a dozen businesses including One Stop Fitness, has seen vandalism and car break-ins over the past several weeks. Police said many of the incidents occurred in the early morning hours, between 4:30 and 6:30 a.m.
“Definitely a surprise,” said Erick Coleman, a trainer at One Stop Fitness. “I haven’t ever in the eight years that I have been here had to deal with anything like this.”
Photos from the scene show shattered windows and vehicles that had been rummaged through. Coleman said the incidents appear to be crimes of opportunity.
“It’s more or less where the suspects feel like they can get an easy target or come up on something of course isn’t theirs,” he said.
Louisville Metro Police confirmed that the department’s 7th Division is investigating the break-ins and urged drivers to take precautions.
“Keep your doors locked when you go to the gym, remove your firearms from your vehicle — I think there were a couple firearms that were taken and that is always dangerous and concerning for us,” said LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley.
Some gym members said they were unaware of the recent incidents until learning about them.
Darrin Branham, who goes to Crunch Gym several mornings a week, said the news was unsettling.
“This is the first I have heard of it. It’s alarming — very alarming,” Branham said.
He added that he learned the importance of staying cautious after his own vehicle was broken into years ago.
“Years ago I got my vehicle broke into — don’t leave anything out they can see,” he said.
Coleman said the frequency of the incidents has surprised many.
“It’s really surprising to hear that they are doing it at the rate they are doing it at,” he said.
LMPD said no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call 574-LMPD. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Police also shared online tips to help prevent vehicle theft.
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