Recent Rash of Burglaries in Charlotte
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: November 29, 2012
"I use to leave my windows unlocked and my doors unlocked but now when I go out, and at night when I'm alone here, I lock everything up," said Joan Shields.
Joan Shields has lived in Charlotte for the past two and a half years. She always felt safe until last week. That's when her neighbor's house was burglarized.
"He said somebody came in through the kitchen window and took his 50 inch flat screen television. I don't even know how they could get anything down because the drop off here in the back of the house, going down the railroad tracks, is pretty steep," said Shields.
In just the past week, the Charlotte Community Association has received dozens of phone calls from concerned residents. Neighbors say even some of these break-ins happened in the daytime.
"They are all coming back to me and saying what's going on and right at the moment, we don't know," said Michael Parker.
Mike Parker is the President of the Charlotte Community Association. He says neighborhood watch and block club leaders are out in full force. Their hope is to keep everyone safe until the burglars are caught.
"Lock your house at all times. My house is locked whether I am in it or not. Make sure you look out for other neighbors. Talk to your neighbors. Find out when they are going to be around. If they are going to be going out somewhere," said Parker.
"Every once in a while I'll just wander out and see if there is anybody strange walking around in the neighborhood that I don't know," said Shields.
Rochester police are paying special attention to the Charlotte area. As always, if you see anything suspicious, you are urged to call 911.


