CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is implementing strategies to reduce vehicle break-ins along the Margaret Wallace Road Corridor in southeast Charlotte, after seeing an increase of those crimes in the area.
On Tuesday, February 5th, CMPD Community Coordinators conducted a direct patrol in the Calloway Plantation neighborhood to proactively search for suspicious persons or vehicles in the area.
The Community Coordinators subsequently interacted with residents and passed out crime prevention information, while engaging residents in vehicle break-in prevention.
The next day, Crime Reduction Unit officers conducted an operation in the Summerfield neighborhood, which resulted in the observation of a suspect seen breaking into a vehicle and stealing several items.
Crime Reduction Unit officers were able to coordinate with responding patrol officers to quickly apprehend the suspect in possession of the stolen items. Stolen items from other incidents were discovered during a search of the suspect’s vehicle.
George Firms Jr.
As a result, the suspect, George Bernard Firms Jr., 32, was interviewed and charged with Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and Larceny.
The CMPD reminds citizens to secure their vehicles and remove personal items when the vehicle is parked and occupied.
Anyone with information about vehicle break-ins or any other crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
