VBPD Asks Community to be Aware of Concerning Trend Relating to Thefts from Motor Vehicles

Overnight in the City of Virginia Beach, from April 8 – 9, 2025, there were 34 incidents of Destruction of Property and 14 related Larceny from Motor Vehicles in the vicinity of the Bonney Road corridor in 3^rd Precinct. 

In the past, most Thefts from Motor Vehicle cases involved suspects pulling on door handles to find unlocked cars from which to steal. The concerning and destructive cases the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) noted on April 8 – 9 involve suspects smashing car windows to get to the items inside. VBPD has also noticed this trend to a less extreme degree in other areas of the City.  

As a result, VBPD would like to remind the community to please keep valuables in your vehicle out of plain sight. Better yet, don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, ever. This simple action will reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim. 

VBPD remains committed to its reducing crime with hotspot patrols, and its detectives are working diligently to identify suspects and bring them to justice. To that end, neighbors in the Bonney Road corridor can help by reviewing their security camera footage to see if they captured anything of potential evidentiary value. Contact the VBPD Detective Bureau with potential evidence at 757-385-4101. 

Additionally, registering and integrating security cameras with the VBPD at https://keepvirginiabeachsafe.org/ will enhance emergency preparedness by enabling public safety professionals to better assess and rapidly respond to criminal activity and emergencies. It will also allow investigators to easily gather evidence in case of an incident.