Neighborhood Watch: Waldo Rood
Story from staff reports. Photos by Hal Goodtree.
Cary, NC – Over the last several months, there’s been a rash of Cary burglaries – 220 of them in the last 15 months, to be exact. And more recently there has been a virtual wave in the Waldo Rood/Cary Parkway area.
The thieves have gained access through unlocked doors and garages, most often while residents are asleep inside. No injuries have been reported and an investigation is ongoing.
Michael Williams, Investigations Commander, told CaryCitizen, “In these burglaries, the person has targeted money, wallets and purses. Of course the alarming aspect to these is that they have occurred at night with someone home. We would ask that if anyone sees anything or anyone that appears suspicious to give us a call.”
Take Precautions
If you live in the neighborhoods off Waldo Rood, you can take these simple precautions:
- Close and lock overhead garage doors and all other external doors
- Use variable light timers and motion-sensitive lights to activate lights inside and outside your home
- Keep valuables in a secure part of the home away from doors and windows
- Report any suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles or pedestrians in your neighborhood, especially during the overnight hours, and call the police if you witness any suspicious activity
Pat Bazemore, Cary Chief of Police, reminds us all, “Our goal is to make our community aware of what is going on so they can take the necessary steps to reduce the opportunity of being a victim. Closing garage doors, removing valuables from vehicles, and locking interior doors are simple steps our community members can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.”
Report Something
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Town of Cary Police Department at (919) 469-4012 or Cary Crime Stoppers at 226-CRIM(E).
This came in via email from Steve, a CaryCitizen reader:
“I read your article about break-ins in the Waldo Rood area. We live close to that area and experienced a vehicle break-in last year, which we reported to the police.
Your suggestions for prevention were very good and I would like to add one more if I may. It is best to shut window blinds and curtains when you are not home and at night when you go to sleep. Leaving them open enables the thieves to see inside your home. If they can look inside your home and confirm that no one is around and you have valuable items they want, they are more likely to break in.
Don’t advertise that your home is a good house for thieves to hit.”