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Police: Man Confesses To 500 Car Burglaries
Belle Meade, West Nashville Cars Left Unlocked, Police Say
Reported By Jonathan Martin
May 11, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belle Meade police said one man would hit 15 cars a night several times a week, grabbing sunglasses, GPS devices and other items. But police said all the cars may have been unlocked.
Belle Meade police said they busted Farzun Samsun breaking into several cars. They'd been tracking him for months, confident he was behind at least a dozen break-ins.
Police said they didn't know the 21-year-old would end up confessing to at least 500 car burglaries.
"He would try to hit 15 to 20 cars a night. He's done this that we know of for the last six months," said investigator Tom Sexton of Belle Meade police.
Sexton said Samsun, who lives in Antioch, told police he was feeding a drug habit. Police said he'd never smash windows but would find unlocked cars, mainly in Belle Meade and West Nashville, and grab whatever he could.
"We've had iPods, we've had iPads, we've had laptop computers, a firearm," said Sexton.
Police said Samsun told them he chose to do most of the break-ins in the West Nashville and Belle Meade area because the homes are close together, it isn't well lit there at night and the many people don't lock their car doors.
During last week's traffic stop, police found Samsun riding with a woman, his sister's friend.
"So you'll give me a statement?" asked Sexton.
"Everything. Just put everything on me," said Samsun.
"I ain't going to put it on you if it ain't you," Sexton said.
"It's all on me," said Samsun.
Metro and Belle Meade police called Samsun's arrest a big one. They said it alone will put a big dent in the record number of crimes in the area.
Even though police said Samsun has confessed to 500 or so break-ins, he may end up only being charged with 40 or 50.
So far, police haven't had much luck recovering the items he's accused of stealing.
Police said to keep your car from getting broken into, lock your doors and don't leave anything valuable in the car. Police recommend keeping a catalog of your most important belongings by recording their serial numbers so they're easier to return if they're ever stolen.
Go to LeadsOnline to put in those serial numbers.
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