Police investigate 13 home break-ins in SE Raleigh

Raleigh, N.C. — Police are investigating 13 home break-ins within a half-mile radius in a southeast Raleigh neighborhood in recent weeks.

In each case, thieves kicked in the back door between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and stole electronics, furniture, money, jewelry, tools and other valuable items. Police said they believe there are a number of different robber teams targeting the area, near the John's Point subdivision off Battle Bridge Road.

Ike Johnson pulled into his driveway around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday and caught two people breaking into his home. His security alarm was blaring, and the thieves took off, he said.

"It's kind of horrific that someone would be that bold," Johnson said. "We thought we had a real nice neighborhood, but that goes to show anywhere can be hit."

Erin Santiago's house was also hit this week. Thieves stole her 5-year-old daughter's birthday money and her husband's wedding band, ignoring her home security alarm as well.

"They were very fast. They got in and got, and it wasn't their first time," Santiago said.

She said being robbed is a "helpless feeling," but that residents in the neighborhood are working together to protect their community.

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You couldn't throw a rock without hitting a patrol car in my neighborhood yesterday. It really seems like RPD is taking us seriously, now. (Please don't dash my hopes, guys. I was really stoked to see the enhanced police presence yesterday.) ;)

elfgir1
January 4, 2011 3:56 p.m.

You need to get involved with crimeseen.com, it is free and IT USES THE POWER OF THE INTERNET TO SOLVE CRIME! Sharing information quickly is key to stopping the bad guy. Video systems have become so affordable and as it goes a picture is worth a thousand words. As neighbors install cameras encourage them to point one at the road and participate in the "One for the Road' program. Police need our help, lets provide the information so they can make the arrest. Crimefighter

paul15
January 4, 2011 12:32 p.m.

I think RPD is taking this seriously now due to the number of incidents. I just hope they catch them before someone gets hurt or killed. It's only a matter of time before it happens.

saturn5
January 4, 2011 10:10 a.m.

So RPD is at fault for not protecting and serving an area that was once hardly ever on the crime map. The thieves are just targeting an area they know is not cared about or considered high priority.

homeownerbr
January 3, 2011 4:07 p.m.

"So you don't blame the thieves or take any self responsibility, it's alllll RPD's fault?"

Judging by your response you must be one of Raleigh's finest.... I am a homeowner in this area and how much more self responsibility can you have than locking your doors and setting your alarm??? These thieves are targeting this area because RPD has no prescence and it is known throughout the community here that their response time is BS. For those that have been in this area a while we have had kids mugged, shot at, and robbed in broad daylight like we r in the projects, y b/c of lack of support from RPD. Only empty promises, patrols for a week or two after an incident and the belief from RPD that this middle class working neighborhood has no real issues. Please tell me y there havent been 13 breakins in any upper class communities where electronics, furniture, money, jewelry, tools and other valuable items are in abundance, b/c after breakin number 2 the police would keep a presence.

homeownerbr
January 3, 2011 4:04 p.m.