Police investigate 13 home break-ins in SE Raleigh

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.