Rash of vehicle break-ins occur, suspects arrested
Jeff Eason
The end-of-the-year holidays are known as a time for giving. For a few criminals in the High Country, however, it turned into a time for taking.
According to Blowing Rock Police Department Detective Angel Mahaffey, at least five vehicles were broken into in downtown Blowing Rock in the late night/early morning hours on Dec. 18.
Items stolen from the vehicles ranged from Christmas gifts to iPads to cash and credit cards. The vehicles were broken into on Wonderland Trail, Edgewood Path, Clark Street, Hilltop Way and Skyland Drive.
According to Mahaffey, suspects in the case have been arrested in Wilkes County and charges are pending in Watauga County. The charges in Wilkes County are for possession of stolen property.
“We got a call that an individual was trying to cash a stolen Christmas bonus check from a victim in our case,” Mahaffey said. “The sheriff’s department in Wilkes County had them in custody.”
According to Mahaffey, some, but not all, of the stolen items from the Blowing Rock break-ins have been recovered.
“Things like iPads and iPhones go really fast,” she said. “One victim lost an iPhone and charger that has not been returned. Another lost an iPod that has not been recovered.”
All products of the Apple Corporation, an iPod is an expensive MP3 player, an iPad is a small portable computer and an iPhone is an expensive cell phone.
Items stolen in the Blowing Rock case that have been returned to their rightful owners include new flannel pants purchased from the Mast General Store, an owner’s manual for a Jeep, new Jockey brand shirts and underwear, a woman’s handbag, a key chain of significant value, snowboard and boots, CDs and credit cards.
Items stolen from the five vehicles that have not been recovered include new shoes from the Mast General Store, an iPod, iPhone and charger, some cash, a woman’s wallet, prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, a driver’s license and some credit cards.
“We want to urge the public not to leave valuables in their vehicles,” Mahaffey said. “You should lock the doors of your vehicle and home. These are tough economic times and some people will use that as an excuse to break the law and try to make money off of stolen goods.”
According to Blowing Rock Police Department Detective Angel Mahaffey, at least five vehicles were broken into in downtown Blowing Rock in the late night/early morning hours on Dec. 18.
Items stolen from the vehicles ranged from Christmas gifts to iPads to cash and credit cards. The vehicles were broken into on Wonderland Trail, Edgewood Path, Clark Street, Hilltop Way and Skyland Drive.
According to Mahaffey, suspects in the case have been arrested in Wilkes County and charges are pending in Watauga County. The charges in Wilkes County are for possession of stolen property.
“We got a call that an individual was trying to cash a stolen Christmas bonus check from a victim in our case,” Mahaffey said. “The sheriff’s department in Wilkes County had them in custody.”
According to Mahaffey, some, but not all, of the stolen items from the Blowing Rock break-ins have been recovered.
“Things like iPads and iPhones go really fast,” she said. “One victim lost an iPhone and charger that has not been returned. Another lost an iPod that has not been recovered.”
All products of the Apple Corporation, an iPod is an expensive MP3 player, an iPad is a small portable computer and an iPhone is an expensive cell phone.
Items stolen in the Blowing Rock case that have been returned to their rightful owners include new flannel pants purchased from the Mast General Store, an owner’s manual for a Jeep, new Jockey brand shirts and underwear, a woman’s handbag, a key chain of significant value, snowboard and boots, CDs and credit cards.
Items stolen from the five vehicles that have not been recovered include new shoes from the Mast General Store, an iPod, iPhone and charger, some cash, a woman’s wallet, prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, a driver’s license and some credit cards.
“We want to urge the public not to leave valuables in their vehicles,” Mahaffey said. “You should lock the doors of your vehicle and home. These are tough economic times and some people will use that as an excuse to break the law and try to make money off of stolen goods.”