15 Hondas broken into overnight Saturday in Squirrel Hill, police say

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police said there was a rash of car break-ins overnight Saturday in Squirrel Hill.

“I mean, it’s concerning in general when theft happens in your neighborhood and it’s more concerning when you actually own a Honda,” said neighbor David Knoll.

Police received 15 reports of Honda vehicles being targeted and vandalized.

“Very surprising. You think it’s very safe but nowhere is immune, quite honestly,” said neighbor Ella Ziff.

Channel 11 found at least six vehicles that were broken into, all with similar major damage. The driver’s side windows were busted out, the steering wheels were torn up and the airbags were stolen.

“This is a whole other level. This is massive damage that’s going to cost you tons of money and tons of time just to get that repaired,” said Knoll.

Police said the same thing happened to several Hondas over the weekend in Swissvale along Delaware and Union Avenues.

We told you back in March when 18 airbags were stolen from Honda Accords and Civics in Monroeville.

Police said criminals are reselling the airbags on the black market and this has become a growing national trend.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a new airbag costs about $1,000 from a car dealer but only costs between $50 to $200 on the black market.

Right now, police are looking for who’s behind the break-ins in our area.

“I hope they find them, so we all feel a little bit safer,” said Ziff.

It’s not clear why only Honda vehicles are being targeted. But police suggest people can buy an anti-theft device for their car, park in a garage and it’s good to have surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to call their local police department.

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