Multiple Vehicles Vandalized at West Side Apartment Complex as Residents Face Growing Concerns

Published: Oct 26, 2026 - 8:46 a.m.

By Marra Ingram

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CLEVELAND, OH — Residents on Cleveland's West Side are facing another wave of property damage after a string of vehicle break-ins left glass scattered across a local apartment complex parking lot Saturday night. The vandalism occurred Oct. 24, 2026, at the Hawthorne Apartments, located at 3575 W. 130th St. According to witness reports, it is estimated that at least four vehicles had windows smashed during a one-hour period between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. Cole Malone was one of the victims whose car was damaged, and his partner, Caroline Thies, said they are frustrated because they pay extra for the convenience of the lot. "We pay $50 extra a month for an extra spot that's not in the gated portion," Thies said, noting that the added financial burden of repairs makes the situation even more difficult to handle. For many residents in the area, the cost of a deductible or a window replacement is a significant hit to a monthly budget already tightened by rising costs. This is not an isolated event for the neighborhood. While this specific incident has not been officially linked to other crimes, it follows a pattern of vehicle-related offenses that have plagued West Side communities such as Ohio City, Old Brooklyn and Tremont for more than a year. According to Cleveland Division of Police data analyzed by Cleveland 19 News in late 2025, the city saw more than 2,800 motor vehicle trespass incidents in a single year. During that time, Old Brooklyn recorded 181 incidents, while the nearby West Boulevard area saw 81. This time last year, investigators were dealing with a massive surge in similar crimes. In October 2025, officers investigated nearly 40 vehicles damaged along Detroit Avenue, a stretch running from W. 25th Street to W. 73rd Street. That investigation eventually led to the arrest of three teenagers. A month later, 11 more cars were vandalized at the Brick Lofts at Historic West Tech High in the Jefferson neighborhood, further fueling community concerns about property security. Law enforcement has previously tried to curb the trend through surveillance operations and increased patrols in high-traffic residential areas. By November 2025, officials confirmed 23 arrests tied specifically to break-ins in the Detroit-Shoreway and Tremont areas. Despite those arrests, the frequency of these smash-and-grab-style crimes remains a point of contention for those living in apartment complexes with open or partially gated parking. The Oct. 24 incident at Hawthorne Apartments remains under investigation, and police have not confirmed whether any items were stolen from the vehicles. Victims of property crime are encouraged to file a report through the Cleveland Police Department's online portal or by calling the nonemergency line. Anyone with information regarding the Saturday night incident is asked to contact the Cleveland Police Second District. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.