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KC police following leads in string of thefts from open garage doors

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City couple woke up to a nightmare last month. Their car was gone and their garage door open. 

Police believe the family is one of about 30 victims in a string of recent burglaries where victims left their garage doors open and thieves basically walked in to steal cars, firearms, and credit cards. 

"I thought he was joking," Chesney Sallee described getting the news from her husband. "I was trying to figure out if it was an April fool's joke, but that's the wrong month. I came out in the driveway to see if [the car] had somehow rolled into the street because I just didn't believe that it was gone, that it could be gone."

Luckily, Sallee had just purchased the vehicle and it came with a trial of OnStar service. The company was able to track the vehicle's location to an address in Independence. The police say they're following leads connected to the address. 

They're asking anyone in Northland neighborhoods who have seen any suspicious behavior come forward and share information. Earlier in the month, police identified four suspect vehicles

Police say this crime is preventable. Detectives remind you to close your garage door, don’t leave your keys in your car, and don’t leave your garage door remote in a car parked in the driveway.

It's a lesson Sallee learned the hard way. 

"We are normally very careful about not leaving the garage door open. This was just a fluke thing. A fluke accident which obviously turned out to be bad for us. I also no longer leave my keys in the cupholder, just in case the garage door is open for any reason," Sallee admitted.

She shared her story in hopes of raising awareness and preventing anyone else from falling victim. 

Called Crime Stoppers if you have any information at 816-474-8477