By Shelley Smith
ssmith@salisburypost.com
Authorities say break-ins continue to be the biggest problem facing the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office in 2011, and scrap metal, electronics, tools and copper seem to be the most popular items among thieves.
On Jan. 18 Scott McChesney reported someone broke into his home on Kluttz Road in Salisbury, and ripped copper wiring out of nearly every wall in the room – the bathroom wasn’t touched.
McChesney reported to the sheriff’s office that he was in the process of moving into a new home, and the home was empty at the time of the break-in and theft. The breaker box in the home was also taken. Damages to the home will surpass $500.
The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating a Jan. 18 report of $1,450 worth of electronics and other items from a Salisbury woman’s car.
Authorities said Cassie Costantino contacted detectives this week after getting her car back from Jonathan Holshouser, 170 Eller Drive, who had been working on her engine and transmission since Dec. 20.
When the car was returned this week, Costantino noticed a subwoofer box with two 12-inch speakers was missing, along with a $700 amp, five CDs, a wheel lock key and stun gun, the report said.
Costantino said she called Holshouser, who told her she knew nothing about the missing items, and that her car had been locked in his shop every night. No pry marks were found on her car, and the sheriff’s office is investigating.
Other incidents reported Tuesday across the county:
• Lindsey Wyatt of Spring Oak Drive reported someone took a tote bag, calculator and prescription glasses from her car while it was parked at her home. Total value of the items taken is $440.
• Kelly Biggers of Amity Hill Road reported someone broke into her home through a window and took an Xbox 360, Xbox Kinect, six Xbox games and two Sony PlayStations. A .380 caliber handgun was also taken. Total value of the items is $1,400.
• Clarissa Evans of Partee Street reported someone broke into a residence on Airport Road and took two flat screen televisions, a Blue Ray DVD player and a Nintendo Wii. The total value of the items taken is $2,350.
• Stephanie Haugen of Meadow Lane reported someone used a blunt object to break a window in her car, and took a pocketbook and its contents, valued at $250. She also reported $250 worth of damages to her car.