Daycare Car Break-Ins Reported in Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park

The Minnesota Child Care Association is issuing a safety alert after a string of car break-ins at daycare centers across the metro, including in Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park.

Many parents are familiar with the daycare dash. You rush into the building, drop your child off and hurry to get back in the car so you can make it to work on time.

Criminals are counting on parents to be careless in those moments. A video from Primrose School in Maple Grove shows why.

Daycare Car Break-Ins Captured on Tape

Surveillance video shows the theft can happen in a matter of minutes. A white car pulled into a parking spot. Then, a man got out and checked to see if anyone else was looking. Then, he tugged on a car door to see if it was locked. When the man found the door locked, he broke a window and stole what was in the front seat.

“They stole a backpack with her work laptop, and other personal information,” said Joseph Piket, owner of two Primrose Schools. Piket also serves on the board of the Minnesota Child Care Association. “The [suspects] tried to go to a Wells Fargo with the parent’s checkbook to try to write checks and get cash for those checks, but they were stopped at that point.”

Piket says parents tend to let their guard down because it’s a daycare center and considered a safe place.

In the past six months, Primrose was hit three times by the criminals, twice in Maple Grove and once at the Brooklyn Park location.

“We were able to still get a good picture of the car, and it was the exact same car all three times,” replied Piket.

Maple Grove police are running the license plates, trying to determine who owns the car. In the meantime, they are asking the public to take precautions.

“We’d advise everyone to keep their vehicles locked, of course. But the main thing is not to leave valuables in the car and if you have to. Don’t leave them where they’re visible,” said Sgt. Pete Keller.

If you have any information, give Maple Grove Police a call.

Brooklyn Park | Maple Grove