Durham County authorities have arrested three juveniles—ages 17, 14, and 13—in connection with a series of car burglaries that occurred on Thursday afternoon. The incidents involved at least six break-ins and the theft of an SUV from businesses along U.S. 70. The suspects attempted to flee law enforcement but were apprehended after abandoning their vehicle near the intersection of Wabash and Dayton streets. A fourth suspect remains at large. Stolen property was recovered from the suspects’ vehicle, which had been reported stolen in Raleigh. The stolen SUV was found in the Walltown area. Authorities believe these juveniles may be linked to other crimes and vehicle thefts.
This incident reflects a broader trend in Durham, where car break-ins have increased by approximately 4.5% in 2024, totaling nearly 3,000 incidents as of November 9. Juvenile involvement in such crimes is also on the rise; in the first half of 2024, there were 289 juvenile offenses, marking a nearly 50% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating these cases and urges anyone with information to contact their Criminal Investigation Division at 919-560-0880. Community members are also reminded to secure their vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and remove valuables to help deter such crimes.
