CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Police divisions around Charlotte are increasing their patrols this week following a rash of burglaries at Public Storage units around the city. A group of thieves burglarized 55 units at a Public Storage on North Tryon near I-485 last week. The same thing happened a few days before on Monroe Road, where thieves burglarized more than 120 units at a Public Storage facility.
Police have identified one car they are looking for in connection to the crimes. It is an older model silver Cadillac with a faded trunk and roof. Both incidents involve at least two suspects with a similar method of entry. Police believe they may be related.
"They're pros. They know what they're doing. They've done it before," said Sgt. Chuck Henson, with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's University City Division.
In North Charlotte, police said one man crawled under a narrow opening near the front gate, then opened the gate for his accomplice's car. In South Charlotte, the suspect cut a hole in a perimeter chainlink fence to access the facility. Officers say the criminals are focused on electronics within the storage units. They've stolen flatscreen TVs, DVD players and other electronics.
"It's sort of like the motherload. Everything they want is there in one spot. Instead of hitting 100 houses to get what you want, you go to one storage facility," said Henson.
Henson told Eyewitness News his officers have been working closely with Public Storage to install more fencing and better lighting. Police have also helped adjust the facility's security cameras to get a better view.
South Charlotte police told Eyewitness News they're stepping up their visibility through heightened patrols. They are even using a modified ATV to patrol the area.
"We've asked the helicopter pilots to fly overhead over the outdoor storage facilities, we've asked other officers to come down -- what we call zone checks -- to look after things," said Sgt. Tom Barry, with CMPD's Providence Division.
Barry said police need help catching the gang of experience burglars.
"The disappointing thing is we did have somebody who heard the break-ins occurring, and they didn't call 911. That was a missed opportunity for us," he said.
Customer Ian Mitchell told us he appreciates the effort.
"I'm glad to know they're making some changes," he said. "Sending the right message is what's important, so they deter any future crime."
Police said their crime lab is processing physical evidence left behind at the scenes, but said they couldn't go into specifics.
WSOC
