CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland police are confronting a wave of vehicle break-ins affecting neighborhoods across the city, with at least 20 incidents reported overnight.
Police Chief Dorothy Todd addressed the escalating problem Wednesday during a press conference at Saucy Brew Works on Detroit Avenue, where she was joined by leaders from the city’s five police districts.
The department on Monday announced the launch of the Street Nuisance Crime Enforcement unit, known as STANCE, a specialized team focused on combating car break-ins and other quality-of-life crimes that affect residents.
Some of the overnight break-ins occurred near Saucy Brew Works and at The Brick Lofts at Historic West Tech High, officials said.
Video surveillance revealed the criminals’ methods: quick smash-and-grab operations using stolen vehicles to move between neighborhoods. Todd said the department plans to release surveillance footage soon.
The suspects are mostly youths, Todd added.
“They go through neighborhoods, break car windows, then they lean into the cars, and it takes a matter of seconds before they get back to their cars, and they’re off,” Todd explained.
The new unit, which began Oct. 31, employs crime analysts and deploys surveillance trailers with cameras in affected neighborhoods. Despite these efforts and numerous arrests in recent months, the problem continues.
Police have arrested at least 30 people involved in property-related offenses, with six facing felony charges. Suspects, ranging in age from 12 years old to adults, have targeted neighborhoods, including downtown Cleveland, Little Italy, Ohio City and Detroit-Shoreway.
Last week, officers arrested a 15-year-old boy found in a stolen car with tools used for car break-ins. The teen had active warrants for murder and felonious assault, police said. Officers also arrested another suspect wanted for sexual imposition.
The department has partnered with the county’s Juvenile Court to ensure youth offenders are accepted into the detention center.
Todd emphasized the impact on residents’ daily lives.
“Our residents are coming outside, and they have a broken window. Now you can’t go where you need to go, and it’s just unacceptable,” Todd said.
Some residents who have experienced car break-ins have raised concerns about police response times to these incidents.
Todd acknowledged the department will continue adjusting its approach as crime patterns evolve. Front-line officers will maintain regular patrols in affected areas while working alongside the specialized unit.
The chief urged residents to report suspicious activity and share any surveillance footage that could help solve crimes.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 10/1/2025).
© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here.
Ad Choices

source