ST. LOUIS — Police are still looking for the thieves who tried to steal a sports car in North St. Louis County.
One man was wounded in Black Jack after an early morning shootout in the midst of the attempted car break-in.
That man was shot in the 12500 block of Stoneridge Drive in Black Jack just after 1:00 am on Tuesday.
St. Louis County Police are still investigating if he was the owner of the car or just someone passing by.
Police say no suspects are in custody.
They responded to a shooting call at 1:17 a.m. on September 17.
5 On Your Side was at the scene shortly after and saw officers investigating what looks to be a white Porsche Cayenne.
Rickey Mabry owns a house nearby on Stoneridge and is working on the property to rent it out.
When asked what he thought of the morning's shooting,
"I mean it's surprising but I do hear more and more of these kids running around, breaking into cars," Mabry said. "There doesn't seem to be anything being done about it."
This grandfather of a 4-year-old grandson who lives nearby said he's been in North County for more than 30 years since moving from Atlanta.
Mabry said these armed break-ins are becoming a larger and larger problem.
"Well I think it's a bunch of kids running around unchecked," Mabry said. "Don't know where the parents are but it's just material things."
There were at least 1 or 2 gun shots to the front windshield driver side of the white Porsche.
Police told us the man who was hurt has non-life threatening injuries.
Police said there were multiple suspects involved in the attempted Tuesday car theft.
"I wish that parents would get more control of their kids because I don't know if anything is being done about it," Mabry said. "You're not punishing parents. You're not punishing kids. They're just kind of running around unchecked. You need good order and discipline."
Referencing the continued trend over the last few days of armed car-break ins, St. Louis County Police said on Tuesday:
Sometimes we do see an increase in crimes of opportunity. Officers are continuing to use every tool to their disposal to prevent these break-ins and identifying suspects. This includes speaking with residents, stepping up preventative patrols and the utilizing any surveillance cameras available to the department. - Mary Schmitt, St. Louis County Police, Media Relations Specialist
If you or someone you know sees a car break-in happening in real time, police advise you call 911 immediately.
We also asked St. Louis County Police about the latest condition of that man who was shot.
Plus, how many suspects they are looking for and what their ages may be if it was young people involved in the car break-in.
They told us Tuesday afternoon all those details are still under investigation.
Police emphasize this is an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact them at 636-529-8210.