NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville Police say they’re investigating several break-ins to Airbnb rentals on 27th Avenue North.
Surveillance footage from one home showed someone watching close by, while the other appeared to pry open the door. NewsChannel 5 counted 12 out of 14 homes with the same type of pry marks near the deadbolts.
Surendra Kumar owns two Airbnb rentals on this same block. He’s not sure if these are the same thieves we see in the surveillance footage who broke into his place, but other neighbors seem convinced.
“All of these are rentals, so the moment you leave, there’s nobody here at night,” Kumar said.
The two thieves don’t seem to mind daylight either as videos show them leaving a home with what appears to be a TV under one arm. They then make their way door-to-door in the daytime, before loading up a car and making their getaway.
Homeowners have said they've replaced TV's mounted in their homes multiples times and each time they're stolen.
Metro Nashville Police believe they know who the two suspects are. In a statement, they say a suspect was identified in a break-in on the 500 block of 28th Avenue North on August 13.
They say a victim came forward claiming one suspect stole an iPad that was later tracked. The suspect wasn’t caught with the iPad, but detectives say they are pursuing the lead.
The statement later read:
“There are also outstanding warrants for a second suspect who we are working to locate. He is a person of interest in several more break-ins.”
We also heard from North Precinct Commander Terence Graves who says, “detectives obtained three separate aggravated burglary warrants and two separate vandalism warrants on one suspect; all from the same complex on 27th Avenue North. All three burglaries are Airbnb properties. All warrants are still outstanding at this time.”
Metro Nashville Police say many of these properties don’t have surveillance cameras or security systems, but officers are expected to more resources in the neighborhood to “deter future break-ins and work to capture suspects.”
Kumar won't take any chances. He’s installed cameras, new locks and stops by more often. Anything to protect what he still has left.
“I can’t wait for them to protect what belongs to me. This is my retirement. This is all I have,” Kumar said.
