Community reacts to hundreds of car break-ins across Fishers, Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — Three teens — a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds — have been arrested in connection with hundreds of recent car break-ins that happened across residential areas in northeast Indianapolis and Fishers.

The Fishers Police Department said the suspects were driving a stolen car when they were caught in Fishers the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 16.

“The criminals that would come out and do these crimes in all our communities don’t have borders,” Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said. “Our message today is neither do we.”

Police said the stolen items, like guns and cars, taken from victims in Indianapolis and Fishers, have been recovered.

Zachary Lensink just moved to Fishers from Texas a month ago. He said he was woken up early in the morning over the weekend. An officer told him his truck was broken into and he discovered his wallet was stolen from inside. 

“We kind of moved to this area to be in a safe location, and generally, I feel like it is. But, yeah, I was just kind of more disappointing,” Lensink said.

Lensink was one of multiple victims on Harrison Parkway in Fishers.

FPD, IMPD and FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force worked together on the investigation. Since the crimes involved stolen guns and cars that crossed jurisdictions, police said the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force joined the investigation to make sure the suspects were “held accountable at both the state and federal levels.”

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said more than 200 crimes were committed between the three teens.

“Where were these kids’ parents?” Bailey asked.

IMPD detectives were instructed by Bailey to look at all available evidence, potentially leading to charges filed against the parents.

“About whether parents or guardians or others were complicit, knew what was going on, or encouraged or were recipients of the illegal behavior,” Bailey said.

Bailey added that IMPD East District detectives were investigating multiple car break-ins at least a week and a half ago. They worked together with FPD to connect the incidents there.

This is still an active investigation and police are asking for the community’s help.

Fishers residents with information or video surveillance related to the incidents are asked to send it to [email protected]. 

Indianapolis residents with information are asked to email [email protected].

FPD also want to remind the community of the following:

• Locking your car is no longer enough.
• Bring your valuables, especially firearms, inside.
• Look after yourself and your neighbor. If this person/group returns, do not approach. Call 911 immediately.
• If something seems suspicious, do not write it off. Call 911.

“We often talk about the power of collaboration between law enforcement agencies,” said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. “Today’s arrests demonstrate what that collaboration makes possible.”