Vandals target cars parked on Parkway

Correction appended. 

The sight of broken window glasses on the pavement and grass from cars that have been vandalized along Henry Hudson Parkway West has become so prevalent that David Bessler thought he had beaten the culprit to the punch.

“I leave my doors open so they don’t have to break my window,” said Mr. Bessler, 40, whose car was broken into several years ago.

It worked — somewhat. Last month, Mr. Bessler, who has lived in the area for eight years, said that a vehicle parked in front of his was smashed in after a break-in, but his windows were intact.

“All my stuff was thrown on the floor, but they didn’t break my window to do that,” he said. “I don’t leave anything of value in my car.”

But even after stripping their cars of valuable possessions, some local residents are still not safe from the criminal’s pursuits. One Briar Oak tenant recalled having his airbags stolen years before, which he said, cost $900 to replace.

“I walk along that strip everyday and we always see fresh broken glass on the ground,” said Joshua Elkin, 36, whose car has been broken into twice. 

Residents claim that in one week alone, the windows of five cars were smashed in.

“Sometimes it happens that it’s five or six cars in one night,” added David Haimovich, 40, who owns a renovation company. He said that perpetrator made off with $3,000 worth of construction equipment from his car eight months ago.

Mr. Haimovich said that the thief also broke into his wife’s car six months ago, stealing DVDs, coins left in the center console storage and the glove compartment as well as a GPS that was approximately $700. 

The couple decided to pay for parking following the incident, Mr. Haimovich said.

For drivers, who have no other choice, but to park on the streets, looking for a safe parking space away from the service roads is a challenge.