Spike In Vehicle Break-In Leads To Rise In Stolen Guns: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC — A spike in vehicle break-ins reported throughout the Charlotte metro prompted police to urge gun owners to leave their firearms at home Wednesday. According to police data, one of out every 10 thefts reported from an automobile this year has included a stolen firearm.

"It's been a tough month for our jurisdiction in terms of car break-ins, larceny from autos," said CMPD spokesperson Lt. Steve Fischbach. "More particularly, it's been very tough regarding the amount of firearms stolen out of those vehicles."

Police are seeing significant upticks in thefts from automobiles across the metro, particularly in Uptown and the South End, said Capt. Brad Koch, commander of CMPD's Central Division.

"These numbers are trending upward since the beginning of the year, as one would expect, as we come out of COVID and people are more comfortable being out and about," Koch said.

Last month, thefts from autos rose 56 percent compared to May 2020 and were up at least 30 percent over those reported in May 2019, Koch said. Its "a fairly substantial increase," he said.

With increases in vehicle break-ins, comes an increase in stolen firearms. According to CMPD, 4,100 vehicle break-ins have been reported since January, with 446 guns reported stolen.

Last week in the Central Division, for example, 31 vehicles were broken into, and 17 firearms were taken. Most of the thefts occurred in parking garages and decks, parking lots of nightclubs and hotel parking lots.

"Unfortunately, these guns are not taken as souvenirs or to be hung on people's walls," Koch said. "They are used to commit violent acts."

The gun thefts are having another ripple effect. In May, CMPD made 302 arrests of felons and 40 arrests of juveniles in possession of firearms, he said.

"These guns that are taken today, there's a real strong likelihood that we'll see them later down the line as weapons used in violent crimes that are committed," Koch said.

CMPD offered these tips:

• Do not leave your home with a firearm and leave it in your car.
• If you do, secure it in a lock box in your car.
• Lock car doors.
• Park in a well lit area.
• Use surveillance cameras outside homes.
• Consider installing and utilizing a car alarm.
• Call 911 immediately if you see suspicious activity.