by KENT COUNTY, Mich. —
With a sharp uptick in car break-ins across Kent County — including areas like Wyoming, Michigan — the Kent County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to lock their vehicles and secure their belongings.
Authorities say two organized groups, believed to be from out of state, are behind a recent wave of thefts, particularly concentrated around Byron Center. These criminals aren’t just looking for loose change — they’re targeting wallets, purses, IDs, credit cards, and even firearms.
While many of the thefts involve cars left unlocked, suspects are also breaking windows of locked vehicles to grab valuables. The break-ins are occurring in high-traffic locations: local parks, gyms, shopping centers, daycare facilities, and parking lots — basically, anywhere drivers might leave valuables behind.
“These aren’t just petty thefts,” said Scott Dietrich, Public Information Officer for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. “They’re going after victims’ IDs and bank cards — using that information to impersonate the victim, drain bank accounts, and run up credit card charges before the cards are canceled.”
As the weather warms up, more people are parking their vehicles to walk trails or run errands — often unintentionally leaving behind easy targets.
“If you wouldn’t leave it on the hood of your car, don’t leave it inside your car,” Dietrich warned. “Even the strap of a purse in plain sight can be enough for them to smash the window and grab it.”
These groups are also going beyond online fraud. Dietrich says some suspects are disguising themselves with wigs, sunglasses, and face coverings to impersonate victims at physical bank branches — sometimes successfully withdrawing cash before being detected.
“We’ve had bank tellers who personally knew the victim and were able to stop the fraud in its tracks,” Dietrich added. “But not everyone is that lucky.”
The Sheriff’s Office is also asking business owners in Wyoming and surrounding communities to remain alert. If someone shows up wearing hats, hoodies, or face coverings and attempts large purchases with a credit card that doesn’t match their ID, it could be a red flag.
“Even a single tip from a business owner could help us crack one of these cases,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich also reminded the public that car break-ins can happen in any neighborhood, to any vehicle, regardless of make or model. And if you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate — call 911 immediately.
“We know people can be hesitant to contact police, especially if it’s their first time. But your call could provide key evidence — and if you have security footage, we’ll provide a secure link to submit it.”
One final and important note: never confront a thief. Many suspects are armed, particularly those who’ve stolen guns from vehicles.
