Police are again encouraging residents to lock the doors on their vehicles.
Both the Rockingham and Hamlet police departments and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office have reported multiple recent vehicle break-ins.
The Hamlet Police Department on Jan. 6 posted several photos to its Facebook page from reported break-ins.
Police say the crimes happened early Saturday morning in the area of Hylan Avenue, Terry Street, Pineland Avenue, Park Street, Madison Avenue and Rollins Avenue.
Officers were first dispatched following a call from a resident of Hylan Avenue who was reporting a suspicious person near vehicles, according to Maj. Hudon Chitwood.
Police searched the area and Chitwood says they found a subject matching the description: 18-year-old Elijah Hester, of Rockingham.
After interviews and investigation, Chitwood says officers had enough probable cause to tie Hester to at least two vehicle break-ins in the area. There have been reports filed for at least 10 vehicles, according to Chitwood.
Online court records show Hester is currently charged with one felony count of breaking and entering a motor vehicle and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 25. Hester is also facing three traffic infractions.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Chitwood said more charges may be pending.
As of Jan. 8, Chitwood said more residents have submitted surveillance video related to the case.
Several other suspects are believed to be involved with the break-ins and the cases are still under investigation.
Chief Deputy Jay Childers said there are also several cases being investigated by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, primarily in the the Weatherstone subdivision.
At least one firearm and undisclosed amounts of money have been reported missing, according to Childers.
The Rockingham Police Department also used Facebook to acknowledge the break-ins across the county, including its jurisdiction.
No details were readily available Monday afternoon regarding the Rockingham break-ins.
The RPD included the following message, echoed by Chitwood, in its post:
“Most of these break-ins could be avoided if the vehicle’s doors were locked. We cannot stress how important it is to remove your firearms from your vehicles and other valuables. Most importantly, lock your car doors.”
Childers said since the break-ins happened on the same night, it’s possible they could be connected.
The RO will have more information as it becomes available.
