Dozens of break-ins overnight on the Chattanooga Riverfront
UPDATE (Oct. 11, 4:23 PM):
Springhill Suites has released a statement following the recent vandalism along Riverfront Parkway.
Read it in full:
“An incident like this has never happened before, and the vandalism to our guests’ property is unacceptable. We’re actively working with local law enforcement as they investigate the break-ins, and we will collaborate with them as they work to track down the perpetrators. In addition, we will work with all public agencies and surrounding security to take measures to increase the safety of our guests and community.”
EARLIER (Oct. 11, 12:53 PM):
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Dozens of Chattanooga residents and tourists woke up to an unfortunate scene Wednesday morning.
At some point Tuesday morning, an individual or a group broke into dozens of vehicles at the SpringHill Suites Hotel and Exchange at Cameron Hill apartment complex on Riverfront Parkway according to the Chattanooga Police Department.
News 12 saw many of the vehicles still parked this morning at the hotel.
One SUV with its passenger side window broken out in the parking lot of the SpringHill Suites Hotel and Scottie’s Restaurant on Riverfront Parkway.
Most of them had at least one window broken out, and some had to be towed away.
Many of the cars had begun the process of placing cardboard over the broken-out windows.
Dale and Roberta Wahlberg, a couple visiting Chattanooga from Sacramento, California, said a Chattanooga Police Officer told them that over 40 vehicles had been broken into at the two locations on the Riverfront.
The Wahlbergs have been on a tour of Eastern Tennessee and had just made their way to Chattanooga from Knoxville.
Their rental SUV was one of the vehicles broken into, as they say they had $40 in cash stolen from the vehicle.
Thankfully, they say nothing else was stolen because it was in their hotel room.
They say while it is disappointing this happened to them while on vacation here in Chattanooga, it won’t deter them from continuing their vacation in the Scenic City.
Dale Wahlberg said, “Well, I don’t think we were targeted as visitors because everybody’s vehicle got hit whether they were visiting or not, but these things happen everywhere. You just have to roll with it when it does.”
The Chattanooga Police Department says they are actively investigating the incident.
If you have any information that could help solve this case, they ask that you contact them.
