Breaking
and entering, larcenies up as
Christmas nears
BY JON
MAYHEW
December 16, 2011 – It
is not a Merry Christmas for some who
choose to steal Christmas presents
rather than pay for them.
Take the case of a 20-year-old East
Lincoln man, recently arrested at the
Walmart on North Generals Boulevard
in Lincolnton for stealing $25 worth
of DVD movies.
Store employees detained Justin Allen
Dellinger, 20, Jones Valley Trail, at
the store as he was leaving without
paying for the merchandise.
Dellinger was transported to the
Lincoln County Magistrate’s
Office, where he was then taken to
the Lincoln County Jail under a $500
secured bond.
The suspect has a court date on the
misdemeanor larceny charge in late
January.
Usually coupled with larcenies are
breaking and enterings. Whether to
vehicles or residences, the number of
cases increase as the Holidays draw
near.
Tuesday alone, Lincolnton Police
answered five breaking, entering and
larceny calls in the northern part of
the city. At least three were to
vehicles. One was also to a church.
Police say the easiest way not to
become a victim is to make sure your
vehicle remains locked and anything
of value inside. Make sure any garage
door openers or extra keys go inside
as well.
In one case, unknown suspects were
able to gain entry to a vehicle on
North Oak Street because the
16-year-old victim left the vehicle
unlocked. He also left the garage
door opener inside the vehicle.
When he came out the next day, he
noticed both the vehicle door and
garage door standing open.
Churches are not immune to thieves.
Detectives with the Lincolnton Police
Department are looking at who and how
someone broke into the Without Walls
Deliverance Center on Colonial
Village Drive.
Once inside, the church pastor
reports thousands of dollars in cash
and electronics were taken. The
church seal was also taken.
Authorities do not have any suspects
in the case at this time.
Since December 1, there have been at
least nine breaking, entering and
larcenies reported in the city from
merchants and residences.
In two other cases, on East Dixon
Street and North Flint Street,
electronics, sunglasses, debit cards
and wallets were taken from unlocked
vehicles.
Call Lincolnton Police with any
information on any cases listed at
704-736-8900 or Crimestoppers at
704-736-8909.
Anonymous tips leading to an arrest
in any crime may be eligible for a
reward of up to $1,000.