NC police link surge in burglaries to minivans

CHARLOTTE — Police in North Carolina’s largest city have linked an outbreak of minivan thefts to a surge in home burglaries.

The Charlotte Observer reports criminals have stolen minivans from park-and-ride lots and other areas to haul away big items like flat-screen TVs from Charlotte-area homes.

Police say minivans are targeted in park-and-ride lots because they won’t be missed while their owners are at work. Police say the home burglaries occur a short time after the vans are stolen. Older Chrysler model vans are the most popular with thieves.

Officials say criminals started targeting minivans with their spacious interiors and easy-access sliding doors after having to leave larger items behind in past home burglaries.

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