Matthews police are asking the public for help identifying two people they believe are behind a string of commercial break-ins around town. The suspects appear in a video the department released Friday, and investigators say they want to hear from anyone who recognizes them.
According to the Matthews Police Department, the two suspects shown in the footage are believed responsible for several recent commercial break-ins in the area. The department has not released additional details about the businesses involved, the dates of the incidents, or what, if anything, was taken. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Detective Erica Riesenberg at 704-841-6765 or [email protected].
Police Push Businesses To Lock Down Before Closing
Alongside the appeal for tips, the department's release laid out a checklist for local business owners hoping to avoid becoming the next target. Businesses should confirm that all windows and doors are locked at the close of each business day, per the same release, and make sure alarm systems are operational with notifications switched on.
The department also recommends keeping video surveillance software updated and positioning cameras toward the most efficient coverage areas. Valuables should not be left unsecured during closed hours, the release notes — a basic but often overlooked step that can make a break-in less tempting in the first place.
Free Security Checks Available Through C.O.R.E. Unit
Business owners looking for a more hands-on assessment have an option: the Matthews Police Department's C.O.R.E. unit offers free security assessments designed to help identify vulnerable areas needing attention.
This isn't the first time Matthews police have turned to public appeals to crack a break-in case. In May, WCNC reported that officers were seeking a suspect linked to multiple apartment-complex break-ins carried out through smashed patio or less-visible doors — a separate case, but one that underscores how often the department leans on community tips to move an investigation forward.
Alarm Registration Already Required Townwide
Matthews already requires businesses to take at least one preventive step regardless of this case: under town ordinance, all commercial alarm systems within Matthews must be registered, according to the Town of Matthews, and that registration comes at no cost. It's a small administrative step that, paired with the department's broader security advice, is meant to keep response times quick if an alarm does go off.
For now, the identities of the two suspects remain unknown, and police have not said whether any arrests have followed from the footage. Anyone who recognizes the pair from the released video is urged to come forward and reach out to Detective Riesenberg directly.
