SHREVEPORT, La. -- Shreveport police are investigating a string of vehicle burglaries that left more than a dozen people victimized over the past 72 hours.
As of Thursday afternoon, police had received reports of about 21 auto burglaries across Shreveport in the previous 70 hours. The largest cluster happened Wednesday morning at hotel parking lots near Shreveport Regional Airport.
Police advise transporting valuables inside if leaving car or truck parked in outside lots.
Eight vehicles were burglarized in the parking lot around the Holiday Inn Express on Interstate Drive, according to Shreveport police. Another cluster of auto break-ins was reported in a parking lot near the Willis Knighton facility on Greenwood Road.
Police say windows were broken and items were stolen from the vehicles.
"We're at eight vehicles total," Shreveport police Cpl. Chris Bordelon said, referring to the Holiday Inn Express incident. "The vehicles were broken into, vehicle windows were broken, and the subject in this case went in and stole items."
Investigators have recovered surveillance video and evidence they believe could help identify the suspect or suspects.
Bordelon said the person or people responsible may have been injured while breaking the windows. Police found blood evidence at the scene, along with evidence that could potentially include fingerprints.
Police say hotel parking lots can be attractive targets because travelers often leave luggage, electronics and other valuables inside their vehicles.
"They also know that individuals that are traveling in these hotel parking lots may leave a lot of items in the car because they're on the road," Bordelon said. "So they are targeting these locations."
Police are reminding travelers to take precautions when parking in unfamiliar areas and to bring valuables into their hotel rooms rather than leaving them in vehicles.
"Don't leave bags or electronics visible inside of the car," Bordelon said. "Doing so is basically enticing these individuals to do that."
Hotel management at the Holiday Inn Express and at least one other nearby hotel where vehicles were reportedly targeted did not comment publicly.
Natchitoches police arrest suspects in separate vehicle burglaries
Natchitoches police are also investigating a recent string of vehicle burglaries, but officials say two suspects have been arrested.
Six vehicles were burglarized last Friday in the 800 block of 2nd Street, according to the Natchitoches Police Department.
Police say they have since arrested both suspects believed to be involved and recovered several firearms they believe were stolen during the burglaries.
Natchitoches police are reminding gun owners to keep records of their firearms, including serial numbers. Having that information available can make stolen firearms easier for investigators to identify and recover.
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