Palm Bay Police might finally have a break in tracking down a man suspected of being behind a rash of car break-ins in the northeast section of town, thanks to one of the suspect's victims and security camera footage.

  • Resident caught suspect bent over his car in security footage
  • Police say suspect has broken into more than 20 cars in recent weeks
  • Have information: Call 1-800-423-TIPS

Resident Jason Vreeland was shocked when his wife told him it looked like someone had been inside their car, parked in front of their Newbern Street home. Her fears were confirmed when he checked his security camera system.

"There was a picture right there of the guy, bent over in the car," said Vreeland.

Footage recorded at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday shows the suspect casually walking up the driveway, covering one of his hands with a rag, then lifting the passenger side door handle. He then entered the unlocked Camaro and rifled through the car's storage compartments.

"It was just one of those fluke times where you forget to lock the doors," Vreeland said. "He was just looking for change or something, not like it's right by any means."

When he didn't find anything of value, the suspect wiped rain off his face, then moved on to the other vehicle in the driveway, but its doors were locked.

Palm Bay Police told us this suspect has been busy over the past few weeks, breaking into more than 20 cars and stealing items.  Investigators now have this video and are scouring the area for the man.

In the meantime, Vreeland said even though the suspect tried to prevent his fingerprints from getting onto the car, the video is solid proof of the crime.

"You can't wipe videotape," he said.

If you have any information about this suspect you are asked to call Palm Bay Police or Crime line at 1-800-423-TIPS.