Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have sent a warning to Ballantyne-area subdivisions warning residents of recent break-ins in the area.Police said all of the break-ins occurred during the day, and the thieves appeared to target flat-screen televisions, computers and other expensive items. Investigators believe the thieves may be using moving trucks or vans to haul away their loot.
According to WCNC, CMPD Officer Peter Grant said there have been as many as four recent burglaries in subdivisions near Marvin and Ardrey Kell Roads. One victim, who asked not to be identified, said she returned home after a two-week trip and discovered her phone line had been disabled. The woman said someone had also pried open her power meter to cut off her electricity. The victim said there were no signs of a break-in at her home and nothing was missing.
A few doors down, a second neighbor said his power and phone lines were also disconnected. "They took my TV, generator, pressure washer and they stole a lot of money," the man, who did not want to be identified, said.
Similar break-ins were reported this summer in Matthews and East Charlotte. In some of those cases, neighbors said they noticed moving vans or appliance delivery trucks marked with the logos of reputable companies.
"When you’re using moving blankets and dollies and stuff of those sorts you can get out a decent amount of merchandise or property in a decent amount of time," Officer David Cristy said in an interview on June 7, 2006. "If you go within the first ten or fifteen minutes and nobody’s questioned you or anything on it the comfort level probably goes up a little bit for those burglars." Source: WCNC