ST. CHARLES, Mo (KMOX) - More than 70 cars were broken into or stolen in the area of Maryland Heights, Earth City and St. Charles in a 24-hour period this week. Police and the prosecutor are speaking out to warn people that many of the suspect they've seen are also carrying guns.
St. Chalres City Police Chief Ray Juengst says the thieves are organized.
"We're seeing multiple individuals in a car and they will flood a neighborhood or flood an area and they will try to steal anything they can out of a car," Juengst says.
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Prosecutor Tim Lohmar says the car thefts and car break ins are out of control.
"It is becoming the No. 1 public safety concern," Lohmar says. "What I mean by that is this point in time it has the attention of the vast majority of our residents. The increase in my estimation is exponential."
Lomar says when the culprits are caught, he'll seek a high bond to hold them before trial, and prison time, if they're convicted. soc.
The Police Chief says video of the thieves shows they are carrying guns, so he's warning residents to call the police and not try to confront them.
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