Flagler County deputies are on the hunt for thieves responsible for several stolen cars and burglaries in the area.

  • Thieves broke into or stole several cars in the R section of Palm Coast
  • They stole four cars, damaged 1
  • Deputies say many of the cars were unlocked

In surveillance video the Flagler County Sheriff's Office shared on Facebook, you can see how the thieves crept in Sunday as families slept in their Palm Coast homes.

They got away with several cars.

"I hope that they don't come back," said resident Chris Lemke.

Lemke said thieves hit his neighborhood in the R-section of the city and he didn't hear a thing overnight from Saturday into early Sunday morning.

He said thieves attempted to steal a neighbor’s truck, but crashed and left it about 100 yards away. 

Neighbors said the thieves took off so fast with the pickup truck from a driveway on Rymen Lane, they left tire tracks on the ground and damaged a brand new red Dodge car.

Jim Troiano with the Flagler county Sheriff's Office said four cars were stolen, one was damaged but recovered, and nine were broken into.

"These individuals were able to try door handles. They get into cars very quickly and then they removed items," said Troiano.

"They did bumper cars with their daughter’s brand new Dodge," said Lemke.

"You can see without very much effort at all they were able to get into these vehicles and take them," said Troiano.

He said that's probably how the suspect easily jumps in and rolls out of the driveway with a couple's vehicles.

Troiano said many of the cars were unlocked and some of them still had keys inside.

The sheriff's office said everything from guns to credit cards was stolen and the cards were used in a Daytona Walmart and Target.

"Oh yeah, highly concerned," said Lemke.

We spoke to one of the victims whose Mazda SUV family vehicle hasn't been recovered. The homeowner said they've lived in their home for about 13 years and never had any problems. He said he just wants the car back, even if it’s damaged. The owner said they've had the car for nearly eight years.

Lemke's cars were left untouched but he knows the crooks are still out there.

"Lock everything up. It’s not 100 percent bullet proof but it's the best we all can do," said Lemke. 

The sheriff's office said right now they are investigating and checking all leads and have stepped up patrol. They are reminding everyone to lock your cars and never leave any valuables inside.