MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A man watched thieves steal his car in broad daylight after visiting the Dayton Mall.
Police in Miami Township are investigating the car theft that happened on Labor Day.
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James Cosby of Miamisburg said, “It’s hard to really put into words all the emotions you feel when you actively see someone stealing your car. Four perpetrators, and then having your child with you.”
Cosby was leaving the Dayton Mall when he looked to see someone breaking into his car.
“I tried to get the alarm to go off. My key fob was not working. I was yelling, screaming. I saw one of the gentlemen as he got into my car. I saw the panic in his eyes. His eyes were huge. I was fixated on him,” Cosby said.
And just like that, his purple, wide-body Dodge Challenger was gone. And a short time later, people started sending him videos and pictures saying they saw his car.
“It’s just like they’re almost mocking the system because they do this so much,” Cosby said.
He told News Center 7 it feels like open season for anyone who is visiting the Dayton Mall.
“What if it were an elderly person? What if it were your mom, your grandma, your daughter, your son? What if I were five minutes earlier? I mean, it might be a whole different story,” Cosby said.
This is not an uncommon occurrence at the Dayton Mall, and it’s led to a bigger safety issue at the mall.
“The police station is 200 yards across the field, you know? It’s like you’re a victim twice,” Cosby said.
News Center 7 went to the Miami Township Police Department to find out if it’s true that there are no working cameras in the parking lot and if they’re seeing a trend of auto thefts in the area.
The Public Information Officer confirmed that the township received 28 car thefts. Four of which were taken from the Dayton Mall.
“I’m not the sole person that this has happened to. It happened to many, many other people. So, let’s evoke change,” Cosby said.
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