Portsmouth police were called to Franklin Avenue around 3:45 a.m. after a caller reported a man breaking into vehicles on the street.
The suspect was described as tall and slender, wearing a black hoodie and jeans. He was last seen heading toward Mound Park.
When officers investigated, they learned two vehicles had been entered. Video from a victim’s phone showed the man getting into two vehicles and trying a third before someone spotted what was happening and ran him off.
At first, the vehicle owners did not know whether anything had been stolen.
However, one woman later reported that a key fob for a Dodge Durango had been taken. Each time the owners went back inside their home, someone in the area used the stolen fob to set off the vehicle alarm.
The owner removed the battery to stop the alarm.
Police advised her to contact Dodge or a dealership to have new key fobs programmed so the stolen fob could no longer be used. That step is important because a stolen key fob can make it much easier for someone to return later and steal the vehicle.
The woman said she did not want to go through the vehicle in the dark but planned to check it in daylight. Police advised her to report anything else missing.
The case is a good reminder to keep vehicles locked, remove valuables, and never leave spare keys or key fobs inside a car. If a key fob is stolen, do not wait. Contact a dealership or locksmith about reprogramming the vehicle before the thief comes back for the car itself.