A dozen or more unlocked cars were entered unlawfully on Saturday night, May 12 in Seven Lakes North.
Six residents have filed reports with the Moore County Sheriff's Office about the break-ins, which involved a total of eight vehicles. Anecdotal reports from residents suggest that the actual number of break-ins could be higher, but some victims have not reported the incident to the Sheriff's Department. It appears that a lll the incidents occurred late at night.
Captain Richard Talbert of the Sheriff's Office told The Times that it is very important for residents who believe their vehicle has been entered unlawfully to contact the Sheriff's Office, even if nothing was taken.
"The more information we have, the more likely we can establish a pattern," Talbert said.
Talbert also urged residents to lock their vehicles; all of the vehicles entered in Seven Lakes North were unlocked, despite the fact that some contained valuable electronics, or even cash. Talbert pointed out that entering an unlocked vehicle without permission of the owner is still a crime. But vehicle owners should protect themselves by locking their vehicles.
Seven Lakes Security Director Steve Ritter is also encouraging residents to remove valuable items from parked vehicles -- particularly electronic devices like cellphones, GPS receivers, and iPods.
Four of the incidents reported to the Sheriff's Office occurred during the evening of Saturday, May 12 on Edgewater Drive, Amberwood Court, Firetree Lane, and Wildleaf Court, in the neighborhood across from Seven Lakes Health and Fitness. Two incidents reported were on Cardinal Lane where it parallels Seven Lakes Drive; one of those incidents occurred on Saturday, May 5; the other, on Saturday, May 12.
In the May 5 incident on Cardinal Drive, a resident rose during the night to get a glass of water and saw two male intruders inside her unlocked vehicle in the driveway. She turned on the front light and the suspects fled. Nothing was taken from the car.
May 12, on Cardinal Drive, two unlocked vehicles were entered and a pair of pliers were stolen, while a GPS and another set of pliers was left behind.
An unlocked vehicle parked at a home on Amberwood the evening of May 12 was entered and $100 in cash was stolen from a purse left in the car.
Three unlocked vehicles parked at a home on Wild Leaf Court were entered on May 12. A smartphone and charger was taken from one and a backpack was removed, but not taken, from another.
An unlocked vehicle parked at a home on Firetree Lane was entered on May 12, but nothing was taken.
Finally, that same night, the enclosed porch of a home on Edgewater was entered by someone who took fireworks from the porch and a boys bicycle from the carport.
Police reports indicate that evidence, including fingerprints, was collected at some of the crime scenes.
