A quiet neighborhood in Doral woke up to a disturbing surprise this week after burglars broke into multiple cars and even a few homes while most residents were sleeping. Police say the crimes happened late at night into the early morning hours, and now a full investigation is underway to figure out who was behind it.
Cars Broken Into, Valuables Missing
Several residents in the gated community near NW 107th Avenue stepped outside in the morning only to find car doors left open, glove compartments emptied, and windows either shattered or forced open. Some even said they didn’t realize anything had happened until they noticed items were missing.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said their family car was parked in the driveway with the doors locked. “They still got in somehow. They took my daughter’s backpack, some sunglasses, and my work laptop,” he said. “It’s unsettling. We’ve lived here for seven years, and this has never happened before.”
At least six vehicles were broken into, according to police.
Homes Also Targeted
The burglars didn’t stop at cars. Police say at least four homes were broken into—some of them while the homeowners were inside sleeping.
It appears the suspects entered through unlocked sliding doors or back windows. So far, there have been no reports of anyone getting hurt, but the thieves managed to get away with small electronics, cash, and jewelry in some cases.
A mother of two, who found her back door slightly ajar in the morning, said, “I didn’t sleep the next night. I just kept thinking—what if we had woken up? What would’ve happened?”
Police Gathering Evidence, Reviewing Footage
The Doral Police Department is taking the case seriously. Officers spent the day knocking on doors, collecting surveillance footage from doorbell cameras, and dusting for fingerprints.
While they haven’t made any arrests yet, detectives believe this may have been a coordinated effort—possibly the same group responsible for all of the break-ins. They’re also working with nearby jurisdictions to see if similar incidents have been reported in other neighborhoods.
“We’re asking anyone who lives in the area to check their security cameras and report anything unusual,” said a police spokesperson. “Even something as simple as a car driving slowly at odd hours could help us.”
A Community on Edge
The crimes have shaken many families in the neighborhood, who say they no longer feel as safe as they once did.
“It’s just scary,” said one father who lives nearby. “You move to a gated community for peace of mind. We always felt protected here. Now, that trust is gone.”
In response, neighbors have started forming their own watch groups. Some are patrolling the streets after dark, while others are sharing tips and updates through group chats and apps. One local group is even organizing a safety meeting to bring the community together and talk about next steps.
Police Offer Safety Tips
While the investigation continues, police are encouraging residents to take extra safety precautions:
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Lock all doors and windows—even during the day.
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Keep car doors locked and remove anything valuable from view.
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Make sure security cameras and alarms are working.
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Report suspicious activity right away.
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Consider joining or forming a neighborhood watch.
What’s Next?
Police have increased patrols in the area and say they’ll continue to do so until they identify and arrest those responsible. Detectives are hopeful that new leads from camera footage and tips from the community will help move the case forward.
Meanwhile, residents are doing their best to stay alert and look out for each other. “We’re all on high alert now,” said one neighbor. “It’s not the way we want to live, but we’re not taking any chances anymore.”
