One man has been arrested and Roanoke Rapids Police are investigating several car break-ins which have occurred within the last week.
Darrell Fleming, 45, of Patsy Albritton Street, has been charged with breaking, entering and larceny from a motor vehicle from East Littleton Road, according to Captain Andy Jackson.
Fleming was jailed on $10,000 bond and has a July 20 court date.
Jackson said investigation into the Fleming case continues and police believe numerous people are committing car break-ins as a way to get fast cash. “We have noticed more foot traffic and an increase in motor vehicle break-ins.”
Police have investigated car break-ins at 251 Premier Boulevard, 1311 Hurley Street, 901 and 801 East Littleton Road — the 801 break-in being the one Fleming was charged in — 1103 Quail Court and 521 Pinecrest Drive.
“We do not believe the same people are doing all of these,” Jackson said.
The victim of the Pinecrest Drive break-in was wakened by his dog barking and saw a white male, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and khaki pants rummaging through his truck.
When the victim confronted the man, he fled and was last seen running toward Beech Street.
A canine track run by Officer Chris Woodruff led officers to the Fifth Street Boat Landing where the track went cold.
On April 9, officers Roy Ball and Rich Somogyi stopped a person who appeared to be breaking into a vehicle on Clearfield Drive. They located ID and credit cards from the victim in the 801 East Littleton Road car break-in and were able to charge Fleming after returning to that break-in scene and finding the vehicle door open.
Vehicle break-ins, Jackson said, are particularly lucrative endeavors. About $1.25 billion worth of good are stolen from vehicles across the country each year in 1.85 million thefts.
Some common sense measures, Jackson said, can reduce break-ins.
“Locking your doors is a no brainer. That reduces up to one quarter of vehicle thefts.”
Remove all valuables. Conceal them even when just stopping in a convenience store for a few minutes. “If you’re running into the store that’s still too long for your vehicle to be opened up to theft.”
Jackson recommends removing the suction cups for GPS units because thieves are going to assume there is a GPS unit lying on the seat. “Put shopping bags in the trunk and use the cargo concealers. Make sure sun roofs and windows are completely closed.”
After market stereo systems are still big items while the high quality stock systems are not. “It’s going to be hard to take a stereo from a GM and put it in a Ford. There’s no real black market for factory stereos.”
Even change left in cups is a magnet for thieves. “In desperate times, people do desperate things. If they see a bunch of quarters that may be their next meal or bottle of wine,” Jackson said.
Warmer weather brings more people out, many who walk the streets until the wee hours. “We’re asking for the public’s help in reducing break-ins. Keep your phone and wallet with you. Don’t leave any type of bags that look like they may hold valuables in your car.”
It is better, Jackson said, to not try to apprehend a suspect yourself. “A lot of people we’ve found carry knives with them and won’t hesitate to make a knife hole in you.”
