Durham police looking for suspect in string of home burglaries
DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) -- The Durham Police Department is looking for a suspect who may be involved in a string of burglaries on the city's southwest side.
As ABC11 first reported last week, the burglar is breaking into homes as the homeowners sleep.
Now, detectives are circulating surveillance photos of a man allegedly using credit cards stolen during a burglary on Five Oaks Drive on July 21. Other burglaries have been reported on Fortunes Ridge Drive, Bloomsbury Court, Five Oaks Drive, Beechnut Lane and Cottage Woods Court.
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The man possibly drives a gold or tan late model Nissan, which may be a Maxima. He's described as in his late 20s or early 30s. He may be about 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall, medium build, with short hair.
Authorities say the burglar enters the home through an unlocked sliding door, which police say seems to be the thief's preferred method.
"This person comes in while they're asleep, breaking into the house through an open door or I think a sliding glass door has been one of the things that have done," said Captain Robert Gaddy with the Durham Police Department. "My thing is number one, before you go to bed make sure all your doors and windows are locked. If you have an alarm please activate it, turn the alarm on. Make sure you leave a light on downstairs."
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Once inside, the intruder steals whatever they can get their hands on: money, jewelry, electronics, and/or credit cards.
Police are advising residents to lock their sliding doors, garages, and windows.
They also suggest getting an alarm and keeping a light on in your home.
Anyone with information about these burglaries is asked to call Investigator Guardino at (919) 560-4583, ext. 29364 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.
