Vehicle, home thefts on the rise in Wake

Investigators said break-ins have been on the rise in the past few weeks, and most of the cases involve unlocked cars parked in front of homes in rural subdivisions around Knightdale, Wendell and Garner. Unlocked homes without alarm systems have also been victimized. 

There have also been cases in Johnston County, and multiple jurisdictions are working together to solve the crimes.

There were nearly 100 break-ins alone in July and August, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said.

Some of those cases were in the Turner Farms subdivision in Garner, which surprised Travis Lewis, who has lived in the area for nearly 20 years.

"In this neighborhood, it would surprise me a little bit because we have very little traffic flow," he said. "Usually people who just live here."

Harrison said the incidents are crimes of opportunity and encouraged residents to lock vehicle and home doors as well as report suspicious activity.

"I want the people who live in those communities to be the eyes and ears for us," he said. "We're going to be there in anyway we can but they will see more than we will."

Anyone with information about the crimes should call investigators at 919-856-6800.