CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Neighbors of one Madison Park neighborhood are trying to get the word out about a new method burglars are using to stake out homes.
At least two houses on the same Charlotte street were broken in to without hours of each other. As police began investigating, they discovered a bizarre common theme.
“People reported seeing a white box truck with and two guys in orange T-shirts hanging outside the house,” said Darrell Bailey, one of the victims. “We came to the conclusion that they were posing as lawn care specialists or workers and they were scoping out the area for some time.”
Bailey says he came home from work the week before to find his backyard randomly mowed.
At the time, he wasn’t afraid, but concerned, and filed a police report.
“Just saying that someone had been in or around the home,” he recalled.
So when his home was burglarized days later, coupled with the neighbors’ observations, police put two and two together.
The criminals were mowing the lawns of homes they were scoping out, so as not to raise suspicion.
“They were watching my patterns of departure and arrival so they planned their criminal deed accordingly,” Bailey said. “It's shocking and unnerving and unsettling so that's why I have a security system being installed as we sit here and talk.”
As the investigation continues, Bailey and his neighbors remain concerned and hope to get the word out about this new M.O.
“It's disconcerting to know someone was in my home,” Bailey added.
If you know anything about the person(s) responsible for the home invasions, call CMPD crime stoppers at 704-334-1600.