Hanna Brown lives in the Hayden Lofts apartments off Hayden Run Road in northwest Columbus.
When she went outside on the morning of May 31, she was shocked to see her SUV up on blocks with the tires and rims missing.
“It was 5 am and I thought my car looks a little funny, so I stepped back and saw my lug nuts laying there all over the ground,” Brown said.
She says it was frightening to know criminals were right outside her bedroom window from the apartment where she and her husband are trying to raise their two little girls.
“We chose Hayden lofts because of the secure feel and this is a nice area,” she explains. “We no longer feel secure.”
There is a sign on the gate that reads: “Owner and management are not responsible for damage to vehicles.” Hayden Lofts is one of many apartment complex gated properties owned by Edwards Communities.
Property management sent an alert to residents alerting them to the recent spike in car break-ins and tire thefts in the area. The notice read, in part, “unfortunately, crime struck several of our apartment communities as well.”
CrimeTracker 10 reached out to Edwards Communities for comment but have not heard back. However, we uncovered two similar reports from people reporting their car tires getting stolen in the month of May. Both were overnight and in apartment complexes nearby.
“I would really appreciate some thought into installing some security cameras,” says Brown. “There’s nothing really to deter criminals away.”