After a string of recent break-ins at metro Grand Rapids car dealerships, another was broken into Wednesday morning.

Wood TV 8 reports that Summit Place Kia staff called police around 5a.m., after finding a lobby door had been shattered.

Staff say the inside of the dealership was left a mess. At this time, it is unclear if anything was stolen.

Police are investigating after at least six break-ins occurred over the weekend at car dealerships in Plainfield Township, Kentwood, and Grand Rapids; and another Monday night at a dealership on 28th Street. 

Wood TV 8 reports its possible even more dealerships were robbed: "With large inventories on their lots, most dealers have to go through inventory lists to figure out what was taken."

Police say at this time one suspect is in custody in relation to the weekend break-ins. The suspect was found with keys to a vehicle stolen from one of the dealerships. It is believed one group breaks in to steal the keys and then another group breaks in to steal the vehicles.

As of Monday,  Kent County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Joy Matthews told Wood TV 8,

“We have been able to recover multiple vehicles, at least six to date. One thing that we are working with the dealerships on is just how to increase their safety measures. Just how to prohibit this from happening again.”

Matthews also says she believes the suspects are local, and there may be more than one group responsible:

“I definitely think it could be a copy cat. I think this is something that’s been happening over the years. I don’t think they necessarily have a plan to do something with the vehicles. From everything that we have found, they just use the vehicles to commit additional crimes.”

Anyone with information about any of the break-ins is asked to call  the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at 616-632-6100 or Silent Observer 616-774-2345.

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