How to protect yourself from break-ins

Salisbury, North Carolina

Barbara Neely always felt safe in her West Monroe Street home. She had a security system and assumed she was protected. Everything changed in December after a thief broke into her home.

Police investigators say the man who broke into the home 38-year-old Arthur James Jackson III remains in the Rowan County jail, charged with breaking into her home and half a dozen others.

The break-ins all occurred around the Christmas holiday, in December, at a time when some homeowners, like Neely, werent home.

Homeowners in those cases said jewelry, money, electronics and clothing were taken.

Authorities say Demetri Barber, 18, is responsible for residential break-ins that also occurred in late December on West Corriher, South Link and Ackert avenues, all near the Hefner V.A. Medical Center.

During those break-ins, police say, thieves took a variety of items that included food, electronics and jewelry. Officials dont believe the two men were working together.

Salisbury Police say 475 breaking and entering cases were reported in 2013 and of those, 379 were residential. Countywide, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office investigated 488 residential burglaries, which includes attempted break-ins.

In recent weeks, authorities believe theyve closed about 10 home break-in cases throughout the China Grove, Granite Quarry, Kannapolis, Rockwell, Gold Hill and Salisbury areas following the arrest of two teens.

Douglas Martin Patrick, 17, and Gage Allen Woodward, 18, are charged with breaking into homes and taking firearms, video game consoles, medications and jewelry. Investigators say in some cases the two pawned and sold the stolen items. Both teens remain in the county jail.

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How to protect yourself from break-ins