The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is searching for four people wanted for breaking into unlocked vehicles across the county and taking cash and credit cards. Citizens are being urged to lock their vehicles in the meantime.
In the last three weeks, the four suspects have been breaking into citizens’ vehicles and have placed several fraudulent charges on the cards they stole from them, according to New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Lt. Jerry Brewer.
All the vehicles were unlocked when the items were stolen from multiple citizens throughout the county, Brewer said. The suspects then took the cards and cash, and “crisscrossed” the county, placing thousands of dollars’ worth of purchases at various businesses.
“There is no specific area that they are focusing on. We have had reports from all over the county,” Brewer said.
The suspects have made fraudulent purchases with the victims’ cards at all three Wal-Mart locations in New Hanover County, as well as other businesses such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, Lowes foods, Waffle House and various gas stations, Brewer said.
The sheriff’s office is urging citizens to make sure their vehicles are locked before leaving them unattended.
“Lock your vehicles up and don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle and you’ll be fine,” Brewer said. “If you leave valuables in your vehicle at some point, they’re likely to get stolen.”
Brewer said they are searching for a white male suspect who has three other accomplices; a heavy-set white male, middle-age white female, and a bald black male. The sheriff’s office is asking for help in identifying the suspects. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 910-798-4162 or submit a tip on the sheriff’s office website.
