MINT HILL, NC – Mint Hill police are warning residents to be extra cautious after a rash of home break-ins.

More than a dozen houses and businesses have been hit by thieves in just the last four weeks and police are especially concerned about some of the items being stolen.

Robert Smith has lived in his Mint Hill Home for 20 years. His dogs, Tasha and Elwood are like his kids, so when the police called him at work to say he had been robbed, his first question was if his pups were OK.

"The first policeman in here said the dogs were cowering under the dining room table," said Smith.

The dogs were cowering for good reason. The thieves had kicked in Smith's back door, even broken the deadbolt, all in broad daylight.

"They ransacked every drawer down here and broke a desk in the living room and took a widescreen TV. Took a flat panel (television) that was in the kitchen," said Smith.

They also stole three guns. That's what Mint Hill police are most alarmed about. In just the last month, 14 homes and businesses have been hit and high dollar electronics and guns have been the targets. In all, 18 weapons have been taken.

"We're concerned about that, obviously, because we don’t know where those guns are and we don’t know where they'll end up," said Detective Annie Marie Garmon of the Mint Hill Police.

Authorities believe more than one person is involved in the crimes, but they don’t know yet if there is more than one group.

Jared Ellis, 17, and a juvenile were arrested by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Smith's television was recovered but the gun is still missing.

"The house is really messed up. I have to replace the door. You know they trashed a bunch of stuff but you know, I still have my health. I still got my dogs. You know, that's all I really care about," he said.