Yonkers police arrest man caught on camera trying to break into cars

Video from multiple Ring video cameras shared with News 12 shows the man walking up to cars on at least Valerie Drive and Hardy Place, pulling on door handles, and leaving once he realizes they're locked.

Jonathan Gordon

Oct 4, 2023, 11:41 PM

Updated 448 days ago

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The Yonkers Police Department arrested a man who they called a 'career criminal' after he was caught on several home surveillance videos attempting to and breaking into cars in northwest Yonkers.
Video from multiple Ring video cameras shared with News 12 shows the man walking up to cars on at least Valerie Drive and Hardy Place, pulling on door handles, and leaving once he realizes they're locked.
Yonkers police officers identified the man as 30-year-old Ian Windley who has been arrested 28 times, including 13 convictions over the last 12 years. Windley is currently on parole through 2028 after being released from jail three months ago for a burglary he committed in Hastings-on-Hudson, according to officials.
Investigators said he got into at least a few cars but it's unclear how many and what was taken.
"I'm concerned you know, we have kids, and we are paying attention," said Yonkers resident Gilberto Melo.
In one instance, the suspect entered someone's home through an unlocked door, walked around, but didn't take anything before he left.
"It's creepy. I want to keep my windows closed at night. I have my alarm always set," said one Yonkers homeowner who did not want to be identified.
Windley has been charged with three counts of attempted grand larceny and one count of criminal trespassing.
Police departments nationwide remind people to double-check check their cars are locked, and that all valuables have been taken out before they go to bed. A police spokesperson said that messaging helped prevent a much larger number of break-ins in this case.
The Yonkers Police Department Crime Control Strategies Division was made aware of multiple home security camera videos posted on social media showing Windley attempting to enter parked vehicles throughout the northern end of the 4th precinct. This along with community tips helped police quickly identify and arrest Windley.