Hillsborough Police are asking residents and visitors to lock their vehicles after an increase in break-ins of unlocked cars. Police said two unlocked cars were also stolen after keys were left in the vehicle.

Authorities said the increase was focused in southern Hillsborough, in the Waterstone development and Cornwallis Hills particularly.

“Most vehicles these days are not actually ‘broken into’ when valuables are stolen,” Lieutenant Andy Simmons said in a release. “The public has made it quite a bit easier because all the offender typically does now is walk through neighborhoods looking for unlocked car doors. This does not make as much noise, is a lot quicker, and gives the offender a larger number of target vehicles.”

Five vehicles have been damaged in an attempt to gain entry since January, according to police. That is compared to 25 vehicles being left unlocked and then entered in the same time period.

Four vehicles have been stolen from neighborhoods since February; all of which were unlocked with keys in them, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the break-ins is asked to contact Investigator Heather Blackwell at (919) 296-9530 or by emailing.

Anonymous tips can also be called in to (919) 296-9555 or submitted through the town’s website.

Related Stories
‹
Hillsborough Gun Store Targeted in 2 Break-Ins
Two break-ins have resulted in multiple firearms being stolen from a gun store in Hillsborough. Authorities say Liberty Guns in the Hampton Pointe shopping center has been targeted in April 4 and May 10 break-ins. In the first, authorities said “a number of handguns were stolen.” When the second break-in occurred, police said long guns […]
Vehicle Intrusions Prompt Police Advisory
The Hillsborough Police Department is advising residents to keep their cars locked after a recent influx of vehicle intrusion reports. The reports suggest that thieves are targeting unlocked vehicles after hours near the Cornwallis Hills, Gatemoore and Beckett’s Ridge neighborhoods. Automobile owners in and around these areas who wish to prevent thievery should ensure that […]
Hillsborough Man Charged in String of Residential Break-Ins
A Hillsborough man has been charged in connection with four residential break-ins in Orange and Durham Counties. Officials say Jonas Brian West, of 1720 Palmers Grove Church Road in Hillsborough, was arrested on June 24 and charged with three residential breaking and entering reports in Orange County and one instance in Durham County. West was […]
Amtrak Worker Accused of Stealing, Selling 77 Chain Saws
A longtime Amtrak employee in New Jersey stole several dozen chain saws and hundreds of parts from the railroad and sold them online, according to a federal criminal complaint released Tuesday. Jose Rodriguez sold the items for more than $50,000 between 2016 and July 2020, according to the complaint. The 48-year-old Brick resident has worked […]
Hillsborough Man Apprehended After Vehicle Theft, High Speed Chase
UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Monday, February 8, deputies took Horne to the detention center on his charges. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon. A Hillsborough man was apprehended on Friday in connection to a vehicle theft, high speed chase and self-inflicted crash. Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office […]
Man Arrested, Charged with Murder in Fatal Hillsborough Shooting
One man has been arrested and charged by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for the murder of James Otis Kithcart back in November. At the request of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the US Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force apprehended Julius Evans Jr. on Friday.  Investigators charged Evans with first degree murder and the possession of a […]
Chapel Hill Police Investigating Southern Village Car Break-Ins, Thefts
Chapel Hill Police are investigating a string of car break-ins and thefts in Southern Village early Wednesday morning. Authorities said “multiple car breaking and entering cases and car thefts” took place between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the area of Greenview and Copperline drives. “We’re looking for anyone with doorbell cameras or surveillance cameras […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Maple View Farm Ice Cream Break-In
A popular Orange County business was broken into early one morning this week and sheriff’s office investigators are asking for help locating the suspects. Law enforcement officials said that a security camera at Maple View Farm Ice Cream on Rocky Ridge Road caught the break-in and an alarm sounded. Authorities said nothing appeared to have […]
Hillsborough Police Arrests 2 on Explosives Charges
Hillsborough police have arrested two individuals who law enforcement says were in possession of an explosive device. The alleged device was found early Thursday morning, police said in a release, in a vehicle parked by the Walmart on Hampton Pointe Boulevard. Members of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad came in to assist and […]
Sheriff's Office: Body Found in Orange County
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted on Thursday that they have confirmed the identity of the deceased and will have more information after notifying the next of kin. Local authorities are investigating after a body was reportedly found near Hillsborough. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted there was police activity on NC 86 related […]
›