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Published: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 01:08 PM

Burglars feast on unlocked Tega Cay cars and homes

TEGA CAY -- 

More than 50 Tega Cay residents have been victimized.

They haven't been bruised by someone's fist or cut by a knife, beaten with a bat or shot with a gun.

Instead, they're being victimized by opportunistic prowlers taking advantage of unlocked car, house and garage doors.

Within the last eight months, the Tega Cay Police Department has investigated 10 burglaries in which property was stolen from unlocked garages and homes, according to police reports. Those reports, dated March 13, 2009 to Nov. 2, 2009, also reflect that 37 vehicles were broken into.

In more than 10 of those cases, cars, trucks, vans or SUVs were left unlocked, the reports note. Of those documented break-ins and larcenies, 10 garage doors were left open, the reports note. Multiple reports also show that 22 vehicles were unlocked prior to break-ins.

By contrast, last year, authorities investigated 11 car-related larcenies, two garage burglaries and two burglaries that involved buildings. In each case, all of the doors were left unlocked, documents show.

Now, the Tega Cay Police Department has a message for residents:

“Act like you're in Detroit,” Detective Tina Truesdale said. “Act like you live in a high crime area. Lock your doors, shut your garages and put up your valuables.”

During the eight-month period, $10,450 worth of golf gear was stolen, according to the reports.

“Some of the golf cubs were stolen while folks were at home,” Truesdale said. “They feel safe while at home and think nothing is going to happen. Needless to say, it doesn't take long for someone to drive up in your driveway, see what they want to take, take it, and drive off.”

Electronics, valued at $6,840, also were stolen, according to multiple reports. That loot included computers, iPods, cell phones, GPS systems and radios, according to police reports.

In one instance, someone also took $1,000 worth of CDs, the report reflects. About $500 in cash also was taken, the reports reflect.

But no one was hurt.

That's the good news, Tega Cay Police Chief Rick Evelsizer.

“So far, we've been lucky,” Evelsizer said. “It's been property crimes. We don't want residents hurt.”

Still, unlocked doors present opportunities for intruders who could be violent, Evelsizer said.

“In this day and time, there is no community nor residence that is completely 100 percent safe from burglaries or home invasions,” he said. “We would like to encourage our residents to lock their (car) doors and close garage doors.”

Because doing so might save a life, he said.

Officials contend there are several reasons why some Tega Cayians failed to secure their cars and homes. A resident told police that securing a vehicle and risking a broken window during a break-in wasn't cost effective.

“Sometimes, the mentality is, ‘it's cheaper to leave the vehicle unlocked to avoid damage and a high insurance deductible,'” Evelsizer said.

Some residents feel break-ins just can't happen in Tega Cay.

“They feel that they are in a safe community, that nothing happens in Tega Cay,” Truesdale said.

Evelsizer added, “That's the big one.”

Sometimes, failing to secure property is just an honest mistake.

“They forget to lock their cars at night,” Truesdale said.

In one home burglary, the victim told police that he “forgot to lock the back door.” During that incident, a 42-inch LCD TV and computer with a combined value of $3,000 was stolen, the report notes.

Another burglary report notes the victim told authorities that “she left her garage door open.” That incident resulted in $6 being stolen.

In a car break-in, the victim “was not sure if the doors on the vehicle were locked,” the report notes. Two other victims could not advise as to whether or not they locked their vehicle doors, other documents show.

And in one report where two vehicles were ransacked, the victim told authorities that “both vehicles were routinely left unlocked.”

That kind of behavior is not the norm and goes against the safety grain, Truesdale said.

“I lock my car here,” she said about the police department. “I have equipment in the car that can not be taken out and placed into another locked compartment.”

Truesdale does not want to risk a break-in triggered by an unlocked, she said.

“It doesn't take long to get in and out of a car,” she said of break-ins.

And that's why some residents can not continue to be carefree about securing their property, police contend. Burglaries and car break-ins could lead to assaults or even death because some residents are dangling themselves like bait courtesy of unlocked doors.

“I've been to a home where the front door is open but the glass (door) is shut,” Truesdale said. “I knocked on the door, and no one came to the door. I could have walked right into that house.”

As could someone intent on stealing property, she said.

Police also responded to hordes of calls about opened doors, Evelsizer said.

“The opened doors (that) we get calls on are unbelievable,” he said. “No one is home. They're at work, and they've left their doors wide open.”

“Or they pulled the door up, but they (doors) failed to latch and the wind blew it open,” Truesdale said.

That's why it's important to get wise about crime, she said.

“Crime that happens in Charlotte is bleeding into York County,” she said. “We do not live in a bubble.”

And Tega Cay police don't want burglaries and car break-ins to turn to a nightmare on Tega Cay Drive or any of the Tree City's surrounding streets, Evelsizer said.

“Use common sense,” he said. “Tega Cay is not immune.”