Neighbor catches car burglar on camera
EUGENE, Ore. - It started like any other morning for the Messner family around 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
"We were busy trying to get the kids ready for school," said Amy Messner, a north Eugene resident.
But that all changed when the family heard something strange coming from the driveway around 7:10 in the morning.
"It was a very violent crash," Messner said. "It actually sounded like some type of brawl."
When Messner's husband went out to the driveway, he found glass shattered on the concrete.
"At that point he realized that his truck window had been broken out by a rock," Messner said.
The burglar got away with a few small items and six dollars.
But then Messner remembered her neighbor had a 24/7 surveillance camera.
"So when this happened, I quickly contacted him that morning and sure enough he had caught it on his camera," Messner said.
The camera clearly shows the culprit getting away in a vehicle.
"His car is very identifiable due to the extensive damage it has," Messner said. "The back passenger side has a huge dent."
Although no arrests have been made, Messner put the video on YouTube to warn other neighbors in the area.
"I think it's just important in this day and age that we watch out for each other, and our neighbors," Messner said. "No one is immune obviously. It can happen to anyone."
Eugene police are still investigating the burglary.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the Eugene Police tip line at (541) 682-8888.
almost looks like the front end of this car is made up of a different color fender?..Man, if i was the messners,i would be so P.O.'d. stealing a few dollars worth of stuff while destroying a 400.00 car  window. hope someone spots this sleezeball.
I caught someone trying to break into my car last month. My dogs alerted me and spooked him off. I knew who he was, and reported him to the police. Luckily I live in another county where they actually do something. That guy won't be back, not to my house...
Wow--good thinking, Messner! And, that is so great that your neighbor has it "documented".
Property crimes like this are so far down the priority list with EPD, you probably couldn't get them to 'investigate' unless you had captured him yourself. And then they would have given you their 'vigilante' speech. If it isn't a traffic violation moneymaker or a crime against a police officer, you are just filling out forms for your insurance company.