SOUTH BEND — A suspect is wanted in connection to several vehicle break-ins and vandalism cases in downtown South Bend.
At the South Bend Police Department’s Jan. 8 crime statistics meeting, police reported that while vehicle larcenies decreased from 79 in November to 56 in December, thirteen vehicle larcenies occurred in the city’s downtown area from Main and Michigan streets from LaSalle Avenue to Wayne Street. In November, 10 vehicle larcenies occurred in this area.
Through an investigation, police identified Vernard Hamilton, 51, as a suspect in connection to the theft cases in in the area, they said in a Jan. 16 press release. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office charged Hamilton in two cases on Jan. 14 for theft — a level six felony — in one case and theft and a criminal mischief — a Class B misdemeanor — in a second case.
South Bend Mayor James Mueller discussed the thefts in the area, calling them a “function of opportunity,” at the Quarter 4 Public Safety Update at South Bend Police Department on Jan. 16.
“If you live in any city in the world, you don’t present opportunities to criminals to take advantage of,” he said. “…We do need to remind people more and more that this is a city and just like any other city, and people are people. When there’s density, there’s opportunity and there are people that’ll try to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Despite the string of thefts in recent months, Mueller said downtown is very safe.
“If you look at the numbers, (downtown is) objectively very safe and that safety sometimes leaves a complacency,” he said.
A cluster of vehicle larcenies occurred in downtown South Bend in December 2024.
Police are seeking public assistance in locating Hamilton, who is not in custody. Hamilton — described as being 6 feet-2 inches tall and 165 pounds — is believed to be in the South Bend area, but not have a permanent address, police said in a Jan. 16 press release.
Anyone with information regarding Hamilton’s location is encouraged to contact the department’s detective bureau at 574-235-9263 or leave an anonymous tip with Michiana Crime Stoppers on its app, online or by calling 574-288-7867. Tips that lead to an arrest are authorized for a monetary reward.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Police ask for help finding suspect in downtown vehicle break-ins