CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested three suspects who are accused of committing serial larceny, allegedly stealing dozens of items that range from guns and ammunition to a mug warmer and a toy gun out of cars.
According to CMPD, just before 3 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to reports of three people breaking into cars in the 7900 block of Spindletop Place in south Charlotte, close to the Target south of I-485 and north of Ballantyne Commons Parkway.
Police were able to locate the suspects inside a white Honda HR-V that had been reported stolen by its owner back in June. The suspects, who range in age from 19 to 23 years old, were taken into custody.
Once officers searched the vehicle, they reportedly found stolen property inside it linked to larceny cases in Gastonia and various areas around Charlotte such as Westover, Steele Creek, University City and Providence.
The police report details the 29 items that were admitted into evidence that were reportedly stolen. The items range from the expected items to be stolen such as purses, wallets, credit and debit cards, money, ammunition, firearms and accessories, knives, driver's licenses, drugs, computer equipment, clothes and power tools. But a few items that are irregular were mentioned too, such as AAA batteries, a roll of T-Rex tape, an Ember Copper Edition Temperature Control Mug and a toy gun.
Gabe Jones, a resident at Rock Creek at Ballantyne Commons, said officers told him the thieves were looking for weapons.
"They went through all my stuff," Jones told WCNC's Jane Monreal. "There's two things of golf clubs in there. They didn't take any of that. They did take a small pocket knife."
Taundra Windham said her daughter's car was also broken into early Thursday morning and was surprised it had been happening for weeks. She said some neighbors are frustrated with property management.
"If they had said something, that might have caused us to at least start looking around, figure out somewhere else we could park our vehicle, or be on the watch," Windham said. "It's a safety issue."
WCNC Charlotte reached out to Rock Creek at Ballantyne Commons' corporate company Knightvest and have yet to get a response.
Knightvest's website's homepage says: "Knightvest Residential puts residents first in everything we do."
The investigation is ongoing and active, so anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
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