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Charlotte teen faces 80 charges could be tied to more car break-ins

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Iredell County deputies told Channel 9 thieves from Charlotte are targeting their quiet neighborhoods because usually they are safe and free of crime.

Anchor Brittney Johnson talked to the sheriff about how the suspects are preying on families’ sense of security.

Authorities accuse Kenneth Gregor, 17, of stealing guns, purses and cash from a Mooresville neighborhood. And they don't believe he acted alone.

As soon as David Angelucci opened the door of his wife's car, he knew.

“I saw the papers in her passenger seat somebody's been rummaging through it,” Angelucci said.

From May to June authorities said Gregory burglarized more than 50 cars in neighborhoods across Iredell County.

The cars were unlocked.

You feel safe, kids playing and you just feel, I guess, some people think their car is going to be fine,” Angelucci said.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said that false sense of security is part of the problem.

“They are going to take advantage. This was in the middle of the night, nice neighborhood, first car was unlocked, second car was unlocked, he probably said, ‘This is easy pickings,’” Campbell said.

Investigators said Gregory comes to the area from Charlotte.

“(He will) drive up, commit the crimes in the community where he thinks he's unknown,” Campbell said.

And he is likely working with partners targeting areas outside the city, officials said.

“One or two will be the ones that go through cars while one circles the neighborhood,” Campbell said.

Mooresville police also took out warrants for Gregory and two other suspects in 20 similar cases.

Investigators believe they head back to Charlotte and sell the stolen goods.

Angelucci is encouraging others to avoid becoming a victim.

“No matter where you are, you always lock your car,” he said.

Authorities are also checking to see if Gregory is connected to at least four cases in Troutman.

After his arrest, investigators said, the break-ins stopped.

Gregory is in jail in Iredell County on a $200,000 bond. He's due back in court on Aug. 17.

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