Thief damaged windows, stole wallets in ATT car break-ins

Melanie Koritz said she went for a run at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday with her 2-year-old son in tow. When she returned to her car, she said her driver’s side window had been smashed and hundreds of dollars’ worth of property had been taken.

Koritz’s car was parked in a lot along the 7600 block of Fayetteville Road near Antler Point Drive. She said when she returned, another couple was waiting for her because they had heard her car alarm going off and went to see what happened.

Koritz said her wallet, winter coat and her son’s diaper bag full of necessities were stolen from the car.

"I'm an avid jogger and I love the Tobacco Trails because it's great to take him in the jogging stroller and everything, but it's just gotten into such a sour state that I don't even know if I'll go back over there again," she said.

According to police, a wallet and purse had been stolen from another car in the same parking lot on Tuesday as well.

Police estimate the total of stolen property and damage was nearly $1,000.

Koritz has since gotten her broken window replaced and, although she is shaken up, she said she knows it could have been worse.

"Honestly, I was really upset. I had this guy with me so I was just glad that we weren't around when it happened," she said, referencing her son.

A printed sign posted on a trash can now warns people against leaving valuables in their cars.

Durham police said there has been an uptick in vehicle break-ins in some parking areas near the trail, but they did not have a specific number. In addition to locking car doors, police advise people to put packages or valuables in a trunk, keep a record of serial numbers for stereo equipment and personal items and report suspicious activity immediately.