Durham County deputies say car burglars have once again hit Research Triangle Park, smashing their way through an employee parking lot and walking off with guns in what is now the fourth smash-and-grab reported there this year.
Deputies were called out Monday after reports that more than 10 vehicles had their windows shattered and belongings snatched. Investigators say unsecured firearms were stolen from at least two of those cars, adding to a string of similar thefts in RTP that has been unfolding since mid-January.
Break-ins Hit RTP Employee Lot Again
According to CBS17, deputies responded to an employee parking lot on Maughan Drive after multiple workers found their car windows smashed. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office reported that more than 10 vehicles were damaged and confirmed that thieves took unsecured guns from two of the cars in this latest round of thefts.
Parked Cars Turning Into Gun Supply
National data suggests this is not just a local headache. Theft from parked vehicles has become a major pipeline for guns ending up on the street, with research showing car break-ins account for a growing share of reported gun thefts. A Stateline analysis republished by NC Newsline found that the proportion of reported gun thefts involving vehicles rose substantially between 2018 and 2022. Local awareness efforts, including Raleigh’s “Lock It or Lose It!” campaign, press the same point, urging drivers to lock their cars and remove valuables, especially firearms, before walking away.
Sheriff Sounds Alarm, Offers Free Gun Locks
Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead is publicly warning residents that leaving guns in cars is making life easier for thieves and harder for law enforcement. Preventing these thefts is “crucial to combating violent crime,” he said, as reported by CBS17. To help, the sheriff’s office is handing out free cable-style gun locks in the lobby of the Durham County Courthouse during regular business hours and is asking anyone with information about the recent RTP break-ins to get in touch.
How Residents Can Protect Themselves
Law enforcement and safety advocates stress a few basic habits to make thieves work harder. They recommend removing firearms from vehicles whenever possible. If a gun has to stay in the car, they advise locking it in a trunk or secure lockbox and using a cable or trigger lock. Raleigh’s vehicle safety messaging and broader reporting on gun thefts from cars underline that most of these break-ins are crimes of opportunity, meaning locked doors and valuables kept out of sight can significantly cut the odds of becoming the next target.
Anyone who noticed suspicious activity in or around Research Triangle Park or has tips about the recent smash-and-grabs is urged to contact the Durham County Sheriff’s Office or reach out to CrimeStoppers through the county’s tip line.
