Neighbors Say Spree of Break-Ins in Northwest Charlotte Has Them on Edge

CHARLOTTE, NC– “It’s been quite a frightful event we’re all just traumatized we feel victimized and we’re scared,” said neighbor, Sheila Clark.

Sheila Clark lives near Moore’s Chapel and Sam Wilson Roads,  where police say they’re investigating three home break-ins in a three day period.

“We don’t know if it’s just one person, a group which it seems to be a group, they’re kicking in doors, they’re drilling through locks to get in,” said Clark.

Like one home on Belmeade Drive. The victim didn’t want to be identified but says someone stole $13,000 worth of tools and equipment from her garage, then tried to get into the house by drilling in her lock, before her dog scared them off.

“They tried to get into the house and being on the same side of the house that my son sleeps was really unnerving,” said the woman.

She’s installed security and motion cameras. So have other neighbors. one caught a suspect walking up to their car in their driveway. It’s not just homes, Lt. Todd Blum says in the past two weeks, suspects broke into eleven cars in the Sam Wilson area. Some had windows broken in, but 90 % of the cars were unlocked.

“Please please secure your vehicles, take everything that’s of value out of plain view, lock your doors to prevent folks from coming up and finding an unlocked door handle,” said Lt. Blum.

Victims say their sense of safety is gone now.

“I’ve been here 17 years and we’ve never had a problem so it’s been a big wake up call,” said one victim.

And they’re asking neighbors to also be on alert.

“Don’t wait until they break in and take everything they’ve got, call 9-1-1,” said Clark.