WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A D.C. couple says their car was stolen, while parked inside their apartment complex's secure parking garage.
On Friday, February 9, Jack and Kelsey Emmer say they parked their 2020 Kia Sportage in the assigned spot, they pay for, in the parking garage for The Collective D.C. Garrett apartments on I Street in Southeast.
On February 12, the car was gone.
"It was clearly obvious that it was either towed by the apartment or stolen," said Jack Emmer.
A spokesperson for the property owner, WC Smith sent WUSA9 the following statement:
"We regret that our residents were victims of a car theft and break-in. We are working with the Metropolitan Police Department in its investigation of these incidents.
"As we know, vehicle theft is a city-wide crisis that has affected all neighborhoods. We have taken multiple steps to be proactive regarding vehicle theft. This includes adding Wi-Fi access to all three garages and having our contractors reprogram all garage overhead doors to close quicker after each use. We have hired patrols focused on the garages and surrounding areas. In response to last week’s incidents, we have doubled their presence in hopes of deterring the individuals further."
"If our car isn't safe in a secure garage, what is safe," questioned Jack Emmer.
At four months pregnant, Kelsey and Jack Emmer decided to splurge on the reserved parking spot, thinking their car would be safe.
"We thought it would be more secure than where we had it before," Emmer said. "Obviously, that was not true."
Their Kia was found later that day, however, it was badly damaged and the ignition was torn out, a car theft trend that has made headlines for some time.
A day afterward, DC Police say the owner of a Hyundai reported her car as having been broken into while parked in the same garage.
Navy Yard crime data from DC Police shows that crime is overall down this year, compared to the same time last year, including car thefts. But when you compare the data from the past three years, to the data from the three years prior, crime is drastically up, including car thefts.
"I don't really blame the apartment. I think they're working in a tough environment," Emmer said.
Now the Emmers are reconsidering calling that environment home.
"We need to start prosecuting people in the city for the crimes that they commit. I think a lot of the young people feel empowered and emboldened to be committing these crimes and that's what really scares me about living here. I don't think I feel very comfortable living in DC and raising my child here, so we'll be heading to Virginia"
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