MIAMI – A parking garage in Brickell was targeted by a thief or thieves looking to steal airbags.
Miami police said Tuesday 10 cars were burglarized at the West Brickell apartments overnight. All of the vehicles were either Hondas or Nissans.
The crooks punched out the driver's side door locks, poped the hood to disconnect the battery and then ripped the airbags right off the steering wheel.
Carolina Gonzalez just bought her 2014 Honda Accord a month ago and is frustrated she now has to deal with the hassle of getting it fixed.
"I called the insurance company and I walked to work today," she said. "I got my father to pick me up and from here, we'll see. I mean, (the insurance company) probably covers 75 percent of a rental, but we have to figure out what we're going to do. I'll be car-less and money is going to be involved -- money that we don't have."
Miami police said they aren't sure of the motive for this crime, although vehicle airbags are selling for between $400-$500 on eBay and other websites.
Detectives believe the crooks were professionals.
"Absolutely. Whoever is responsible for this crime has to have some sort of knowledge," Sgt. Freddie Cruz said. "This could be one person. It could be a group. It could be a gang. We don't know at this point. It's a puzzle that we're trying to figure out together."
Police said there is no surveillance video.
Anyone with information about who may be responsible is asked to call Miami police.