Vandals burglarized at least 30 vehicles early Monday at several hotels and apartment complexes near the heart of Orlando's tourism district, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
The first two burglaries were reported at about 2:15 a.m. at the La Quinta Inn & Suites on Universal Boulevard.
Shortly thereafter, 17 burglaries and two attempted burglaries were reported at the Westgate Leisure Resort near Westwood Boulevard and International Drive, deputies said.
Neighbors who live in the Westwood Suites area tell me they work hard to live in the tourist district&now they have to wake up to this@WFTV pic.twitter.com/4TsdwJb9k5
— Sarahbeth Ackerman (@SAckermanWFTV) May 8, 2017
A combined eleven more burglaries were reported at the Hilton Garden Inn and the Residence Inn by Marriott -- both on Westwood Boulevard -- and the Hampton Inn on Sea Harbor Drive.
Investigators believe the cases are related. The culprits smashed vehicle windows in each case.
"That's Orlando for you," victim Trista Behr said. "And they didn't take anything. They just rummaged through everything."
The damage doesn't stop in the Westwood Suites complex. Right now, neighbors are sweeping up glass and taping up windows @WFTV pic.twitter.com/ODjv21P2Vy
— Sarahbeth Ackerman (@SAckermanWFTV) May 8, 2017
One victim, who asked not to be identified, said he faces about $1,000 in repairs.
"You work three years in a row just to make sure you get the car you wanted, and you wake up in the morning to find this," a victim said. "I don't have the words for it right now."
Investigators said that it appears nothing was stolen from the vehicles. They said the rash of break-ins could be a case of widespread vandalism.
No other details were given.
Cox Media Group
