Search for Cary burglar leads to arrest in church theft

Marcel Jackson, 36, of 10300 Ash Hollow Drive in Raleigh, has been charged with two counts of felony larceny and one count of first-degree burglary in a theft from Colonial Baptist Church and a residential break-in, both of which occurred last month, police said.

Tips that led to Jackson's arrest came from people who saw a video that Cary police released a week ago in response to three burglaries in the Lochmere area between Jan. 10 and Jan. 12.

“While our hope is that crime would never occur, when it does, it’s great to know that our citizens are working as our partners in apprehending suspects,” Police Chief Pat Bazemore said in a statement. “As we continue working the Lochmere burglaries, I want to encourage anyone with any piece of information, no matter how small it might seem, to call our department and report it.”

The suspect or suspects in the Lochmere break-ins stole televisions, purses, wallets, jewelry and a variety of electronic equipment while the residents of the homes were asleep, police said. No one was harmed.

Investigators didn't say where the video came from or why they want to speak with the man depicted in it. They describe him only as having a medium build with short dark hair.

Police have stepped up patrols in the neighborhood since the crimes occurred and urged residents to keep all home and car doors locked and to report to authorities any suspicious activity, including anyone in suspicious or idling vehicles in residential areas.

Cary police ask anyone with information about the crimes to contact Crime Stoppers at 919-226-2746 or the police department at 919-380-2133.