Police follow up on leads while seeking possible serial burglar

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The burglar who stole cash from four Carolina Place Mall stores Friday is likely the same person who has hit malls up and down the East Coast, Pineville police said.

An employee of one of the stores discovered cash missing Saturday morning and reported it to police. A Pineville police sergeant told Eyewitness News the burglar entered the store just before close.

“I just left the mall just now at closing time and didn't give a second thought that there could be people hiding to do damage,” shopper Paul Young said.

Investigators believe the man has committed crimes in multiple states on the East Coast. The burglar hides and breaks in through the back door of stores, often after close, police said.
 
Police are following up on leads and coordinating with other police departments in the state.

“I don't know where they would hide,” shopper Michelle Love said. “That's kind of strange.”

Statement from Carolina Place spokesperson:

“The safety and well-being of our visitors and employees are always our top priorities. We have a customized public safety program, and we constantly review and evaluate our security procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who walks through our doors. However, we do not discuss our public safety measures because by doing so would compromise our efforts." 

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Five people injured in overnight shooting at west Charlotte bar, CMPD says
• Whitewater activities closed at Whitewater Center after deadly amoeba found
• 12-year-old girl on Go-Kart hit by 2 cars in north Charlotte dies, family says
• SC health officials report first case of sexually transmitted Zika

Cox Media Group