Man charged with multiple airbag thefts in Northeast Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have been trying to find whoever is stealing airbags from cars across the city, and today they may have finally made a break in the case.

Now people who park their cars on the streets all over the city may be able to rest a little easier.

Police have arrested Ricky Sanchez of West Kensington, who, sources say, has been connected to at least six airbag thefts in Northeast Philadelphia.

Those thefts occurred in September of 2014.

As part of the investigation police executed a search warrant at a salvage yard on Glenwood Avenue where, sources say, they recovered seven stolen airbags.

Dozens and dozens of cars, mostly Hondas, have been hit all over the city. The thieves leave behind broken windows and an empty space in the steering wheel where the airbag is missing.

They sell them to repair shops for anywhere from $50 to $200.

The repair shops then install them in accident damaged cars, charging insurance companies the full price of a new airbag - over $1,000 each.

The wave of thefts has been frustrating for car owners. They wake up in the morning to find a costly and time consuming nuisance.

Sources say police were able to match fingerprints from six of the cars to Sanchez.

He is still being questioned. They believe he is part of a ring of thieves and they're hoping he may help track down the others.