Malco Power House Theater targeted by car burglars
Oct 31, 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- One man's night out at the movies turned him into a crime victim in downtown Memphis on Monday, and he's waiting for police to do something.
He was at the Malco Power House Theater on Front Street celebrating a third anniversary with his fiance when their movie was interrupted.
"While we were in the movies, we got confronted by security. They asked us to come outside and said that our vehicle had been broken into," the victim said.
But he says his car was not the only one.
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"He explained that my car had been hit first and then five other cars right after it," the victim said. "The back driver-side window was busted out. And like I said, they took my debit card and they rummaged through it a little bit."
He says security was at the theater but told him they couldn't do anything but call the police.
"I was told by security that it has happened multiple times before, and that's the reason they were there to try to prevent it, but they're not allowed to do anything to confront them," the victim said.
The victim says police had come and gone by the time he went outside to check on the damage to his car, but they too weren't able to stop the thieves in action.
"They told us that they were not allowed to block them in or chase them unless they had committed a violent felony," the victim said. "If they're not allowed to do that, then, you know, there's no point in kind of even really being there the police for a reason. And these people think it's just a joke and it's a game to them, they know that they can get away with it."
Now he says his calls to the police to get an update on the case have gone unanswered. Even when the thieves tried to use his debit card at a gas station and he called to let MPD know, still nothing.
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"I've called three times, and all three times been told that an investigator has still not been put on the case," the victim said. "It's waiting for approval. And I just, I want something done."
According to a police report, a security officer and a victim told police they saw two vehicles, a black Infiniti with no tags and a red Nissan with no tags, pull into the lot. A suspect got out and broke into several vehicles — when they confronted him, he cursed at them.
The reports states six vehicles were burglarized, with one handgun and a Taser among the items taken.
"It's a bad feeling to know that I can't even take my fiance out on a date without something happening," the victim said.
The crime victim says he also tried getting video footage from Malco showing what happened that night but was told that it could only be given to an investigator.
Memphis Police have told WREG that their investigation is ongoing.
As for not going after the suspects, they referred us to their website which says, "Vehicle pursuits are strictly prohibited for a traffic violation, a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony."
The crime victim said he also tried getting video from Malco showing what happened that night but was told that can only be given to an investigator.
WREG reached out to Malco and are waiting to hear back.