Spike in Car Break-ins, Burglaries Concerns Law Enforcement

Contributed by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Charleston Police Department are investigating several vehicle break-ins and residential burglaries in the James Island and West Ashley areas. 

During the months of April and May 2013, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 19 auto break-ins, of those 15 were unlocked. Nine of the break-ins occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. and 4 occurred between midnight and 6:00 p.m. and occurred in neighborhoods off of Fort Johnson Road.

During the months of June and July Deputies responded to 18 auto break-ins on James Island and 3 West Ashley, of those 19 were unlocked. 11 reported incidents occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and 2 were reported to have occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

There are many steps that homeowners can take to greatly reduce the likelihood of being a victim of thefts and most are free. A majority of the thefts were from vehicles that were left unlocked so the most basic and easiest step is to roll the windows up and to lock your vehicle. To make your vehicle less of a target remove any items of value from inside the vehicle, including electronics such as GPS units, laptops and cellphones as well as any cash including change. Set an alarm if so equipped and park in a garage or a well-lit area when parking in public locations.

Fifteen residential burglaries were reported in the months of June and July on James Island, 7 of the burglaries were through unlocked doors with a majority of the others being through forced entry of the front or rear doors. 6 Burglaries occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., 3 occurred between midnight and 6:00 p.m. and 2 occurred between 6:00 a.m. and midnight. The burglaries occurred to residences in the Clearview and Riverland Terrace areas.

For the city of Charleston during the months of April and May 2013, CPD responded to 24 car break-ins.  Out of the 24 car break-ins, 15 vehicles were definitely unlocked.  Fifteen of the total car break-ins occurred between 1900-2300 hrs. 

• During the months of June and July 2013, CPD responded to 12 car break-ins.  Out of the 12 car break-ins, 8 vehicles were definitely unlocked.   
• Of all the vehicles that had items stolen out of them from April to the present, only 5 actually showed damage from forced entry. 
• During the months of April and May 2013, CPD responded to 8 Burglaries. 
• During the months of June and July 2013, CPD responded to 3 Burglaries. 
• These burglaries and car break-ins occurred in the Harborview Road and Fort Johnson Road corridor.

Precautions homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of burglaries include locking your residence including garage doors even if you are only going to be away for a short period of time, it takes very little time for someone to enter your home when it is left unlocked. Trim shrubs and bushes so that they don’t obstruct view of windows and doors. Make use of lighting during night time hours, install a monitored alarm system and arm it when away from your home.

Individuals are asked to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement as well as reporting theft incidents and to consider joining an active Crime Watch Program in your area. Charleston County Residents may contact the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Community Liaison Office at 843-762-2007 and City of Charleston Police Crime Prevention at 843-860-0315 for additional information.

Residents are invited to attend the regularly scheduled James Island Town Hall meeting to be held at the James Island Town Hall 1238-B Camp Road at 7 p.m. representatives from both the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Charleston Police Department will be present to provide additional information.