CHARLOTTE, N.C. — So far in 2022, at least 239 guns have been stolen out of cars near Charlotte, which is a 12 percent increase from last year, according to CMPD.
During a news conference on Wednesday, CMPD officials highlighted the serious threat to public safety.
Officials say “Larceny from auto cases are dangerous not just because of the lost property for victims. Theyβre a safety hazard for the general public, especially when firearms are involved.”
Authorities say nearly half (42 percent) of the firearms stolen out of cars in 2022 happened in residential areas and 66 percent were taken out of unlocked vehicles.
In addition, police say guns stolen from cars have seen major increases at hotels, up to 22 percent, and bars/nightclubs, up 250 percent.
Authorities say stolen firearms from cars are often used in violent crimes by repeat offenders.
CMPD’s Central and North Division recently investigated these incidents that led to the arrests of serial larceny suspects with long criminal histories.
2022 Larceny from Auto Cases:
On April 6th, officers deployed a bait phone inside an undercover vehicle on South Tryon Street as a response to repeated larceny from auto incidents at this location.
Officers received a tamper notification from the bait phone and identified 40-year-old Dennis Rann as the subject who took it.
Officers quickly located and apprehended Rann following this incident.
He was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and habitual misdemeanor larceny, according to a news release.
Police say Rann has had 11 arrests since June of 2019, seven of them directly related to Larceny from Auto offenses.
On March 26th and March 28th, officers started investigating a larceny from auto on Foggy Meadow Road.
Police say the victim’s car was broken into by two suspects, with the incident captured on a ring camera.
Officers also discovered another car was broken into around the same time in the same area.
In the second case, police say the two suspects took a credit card and used it at a nearby gas station.
Using surveillance footage from the gas station and the ring camera video, officers were able to identify the suspects as 20-year-old Thomas Lindsay and 19-year-old Robert Liddell.
Authorities say 49 warrants were signed for both Lindsay and Liddell, and both suspects were placed under arrest.
A search warrant executed at Thomas Lindsay’s apartment yielded a firearm, firearm accessories, and numerous articles of stolen property, according to a news release.
Police say Liddell is no longer in custody, but bothΒ Lindsay and Liddell face charges for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, conspiracy, larceny, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
What to do:
Authorities remind residents they can do simple things to prevent themselves from becoming victims of this kind of theft.
Officials say “Be aware of your surroundings and always keep your vehicleβs doors locked. Larcenies from unlocked cars account for 24% of LFAs. Donβt leave firearms in your vehicle; keep them locked away at home. Try to take any valuables out of your vehicle and ensure youβre not leaving anything valuable in plain sight.”
CMPD says if you see a larceny from auto happening, call 9-1-1.
Tips can also be reported anonymously to Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
