Santa Cruz glass repair shops seeing lots of car break-ins

Some auto repair shops are seeing a surge in break-in repairs in Santa Cruz. According to Absolute Auto Shop on Soquel Avenue about 40% of their business is repairing broken car windows.

“Probably like three a day for the break-in, maybe two, and then five to six of the windshield,” Absolute Auto owner Samir Daoud said.

The shop says when a back or side window needs a repair it’s usually from a car break-in. Daoud says the break-in repairs are guaranteed on a daily basis and there’s already been a handful this week, but it’s been that way most of his career here in Santa Cruz.

“I have not noticed an uptick but I have noticed it’s consistent,” Daoud said.

One of the latest victims, David Benet had his side window smashed and his backpack in his front seat stolen.

“Pretty classic smash and grab,” Benet said. “It was just broad daylight.”

This is the third time in as many years Benet’s been the victim of a break-in in Santa Cruz.

“We have a big problem with this kind of theft and its just really frustrating,” Benet said.

Another auto glass repair shop in Santa Cruz, Action Auto Repair says they’ve seen a dramatic increase in break-in repairs in the last three months. The shop tells KION they could hire another worker because of the about 30% bump in the break-in specific repairs.

But that trend doesn’t necessarily reflect the city’s crime report. According to Santa Cruz Police Department they’ve seen an 8% decrease in break-ins this year.

Santa Cruz PD says there are some easy ways to attempt to prevent a break-in: leave nothing visible, park under natural light or where others may be around and take your valuables with you.