Thieves break into about 80 cars in Raleigh, Chapel Hill combined; Brier Creek area hit again

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Around 80 car break-ins were reported in Raleigh and Chapel Hill combined during the first part of the weekend.

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Early Saturday morning, between 20 and 25 vehicles were broken into in the Brier Creek area of Raleigh, officials said.

In Chapel Hill, thieves broke into around 60 cars during 90 minutes early Saturday morning, police said.

The Raleigh break-ins happened at hotels along Little Brier Creek Lane, according to the Raleigh Police Department. At least two guns were taken during break-ins, police said.

The thieves appeared to target the Residence Inn by Marriott and the Courtyard by Marriott along with a third nearby hotel, Raleigh police and officials said.

In Chapel Hill, thieves targeted cars at hotels and apartment complexes early Saturday in areas including Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Raleigh Road, according to a town news release.

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In many cases, suspects smashed windows to access vehicles, officials said.

By early August, Chapel Hill police revealed around 320 car break-ins were reported since the start of the year.

Officers said they are asking the community for information about the thefts to help track down suspects.

“We’re asking community members to check their home and business camera recordings for any signs of people breaking into cars,” Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew said in the news release. “Call 911 to connect with our investigators who will walk you through an easy way to share video.”

Earlier this summer, Chapel Hill police said they were creating a team to focus on vehicle break-ins.

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