Cary reports surge in home break-ins

Cary police said Friday the crimes occurred in all areas of town between June 16 and July 16 and helped push the total number of burglaries up by 14 percent over last year.

Most of the break-ins happened during the day, although a few have taken place while residents were home. No one has been hurt. Thieves have stolen jewelry, cash, video games and electronics.

"Just to have so many so fast, to average one a day over the last 30 days, is abnormal for us," Cary police Capt. Don Hamilton said.

He said investigators believe some of the break-ins are connected, and there may be more than one thief or group of thieves at work.

"We think in a lot of these places, they are - for lack of a better word - casing the places they're breaking into," Hamilton said.

Homeowner Randy Waite lives across the street from a home that was burglarized and said the crime has made neighbors more aware.

"It's put us a little more on alert to watch the neighborhood, watching for people coming and going," he said. "Having a nice, big dog that makes a lot of noise certainly helps."

Police advise people to report unfamiliar vehicles and pedestrians, make sure all doors and windows are locked, install motion-sensitive or timed lights, hide valuables from street view and post warning signs if the home has an alarm system.

Neighbors are also encouraged to form a block party or neighborhood watch as part of the Aug. 6 National Night Out, a celebration of crime prevention.

The town offers a free home safety inspection for residents. A police officer will evaluate a home’s security and offer low-cost suggestions for improvement.

For more information, call Cary police at 919-469-4324 or 919-469-4012.