Police urge Plaza Midwood residents to amp up security after several break-ins

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the past week, more than a dozen break-ins have been reported in Plaza Midwood.

Police said thieves are kicking in doors at homes and breaking into cars.

Sylvia Stock said she came home from a meeting to find lights on in her Matheson Avenue home and a closet door opened.

"Every room in my home had been gone through, all drawers were opened," said Stock. "I saw a bag in my backyard. Apparently, the robbers had left that bag on their way out, because they also hit the house right behind me."

Police said it appears the thief left her home and went straight through the yard into someone else’s.

Officials said homes on Country Club Drive, Club Road and Pinecrest Avenue were broken into and several cars were also targeted.

All of these crimes happened between Jan. 2 and Jan. 9.

Police are reminding people to lock their doors, especially their cars, and invest in some security systems.

Stock said she did just that and feels safer now but wishes it wasn't after she became a victim.

"Obviously, I've amped up the cameras, the lights, everything that can possibly be. We're being recorded right now because we're standing under one,” said Stock.

Police said too many victims of these crimes are posting about what happened on a neighborhood social app called Nextdoor instead of calling police.

Officials said it's good to alert your neighbors if you're a victim, but it’s not going to help police catch the people behind the thefts.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Pair arrested after squatting in home once owned by Davidson mayor's parents
• Beloved LB Thomas Davis says he's done with Panthers after 14 seasons
• MS-13 gang member one of three accused of having 2 kilos of meth, police say
• CMS investigates after employee accused of sending inappropriate text to teenager​​

Cox Media Group