'Smash-and-grab' burglaries in Raleigh, Durham may be related

Raleigh and Durham police are working together to determine if a series of "smash and grab" burglaries that have occurred recently in both cities are related, a Raleigh police spokeswoman announced today.

Both agencies have reported three incidents each at local businesses where someone has used a motor vehicle to crash through the establishments and grab items.

Durham police reward are offering a reward for information about the break-ins they are investigating.

Investigators don’t know whether the same suspects are involved in all three break-ins, but witnesses told police that a blue pickup truck was used during one burglary each in Raleigh and Durham, authorities reported.

Two of the Raleigh break-ins took place on the day after Christmas, Laura Hourigan, a Raleigh police spokeswoman said today.

The first occurred between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. when police responded to a burglary alarm at 2626-116 S. Saunders Street. Someone used a stolen white box truck to smash through the doors of an Internet sweepstakes cafe. The thieves tried to take an ATM, but only managed to get away with an empty cash drawer. The police later found the box truck, which had been abandoned, Hourigan said.

Hours later, at 7 a.m., someone phoned the police after seeing a blue pickup truck crash into the entrance of the Radio Shack at Brier Creek. Nothing was reported stolen.

Police think a previous smash and grab that took place on Oct. 13 at Kay Jewelers at Brier Creek may be related, Hourigan said.

More information about the case was unavailable this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Durham police say that on Dec. 22 at 4:30 a.m., someone used a stolen Dodge van to drive through the front entrance of Affordable Jewelry and Pawn at 3616 Hillsborough Road. Jewelry and electronic items were stolen from the business. Officers found the stolen van a short time later on Bridgefield Place, police reported today.

On Sunday at 4:50 a.m., someone used a stolen Plymouth Voyager van to back into Radio Shack at 3500 N. Roxboro Road. Several items were taken and at least two males were involved. The stolen vehicle was found a short time later on Meriwether Drive.

One day later, at 5:19 a.m., someone drove a blue pickup truck through the front of Game Stop at 1804 North Pointe Drive. Three males with their faces covered stole several games from the business. The vehicle used in the break-in has not been recovered.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Durham police at 560-4582, ext. 29245 or Crime Stoppers at 683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers don’t have to identify themselves.

Residents who have information about the incidents in Raleigh are urged to call 996-3555.