Several Leland communities falling victim to recent rash of car break-ins

LELAND, NC (WWAY)– Monday, we told you what was happening at an apartment complex in Wilmington. 

Now, it’s larceny in Leland. With numerous neighborhoods hit overnight. 

These communities just off Highway 17 in Leland aren’t used to crime, which is why some residents say they were shocked to discover the break-ins on Monday morning.    

“I came out, was it, yesterday morning, and I opened up my door and immediately saw that it had kind of been ransacked,” said Leland Resident Robert Carothers.    

That’s the story many Leland residents are sharing following the recent rash of car break-ins.   

“The center console and glove compartment contents were emptied and all over the truck. I immediately knew someone had been in there,” said Carothers.  

Robert Carothers noticed his vehicle was broken into at an apartment complex off Ploof Road early Monday morning.    

“Luckily, I didn’t have anything of high value in the truck that night. But I noticed just a couple of small things that had been taken,” said Carothers.    

The Town of Leland says thieves broke into vehicles at multiple locations.

So far, a juvenile has been arrested and will face charges.  

Law enforcement also recovered a car reported stolen less than a week ago from New Hanover County.  

“Recently we’ve had some car break ins in Wilmington. It was obvious they were trying to, I guess, “hot wire” them,” said Lieutenant Greg Willett with Wilmington Police. “That’s kind of a dated term, but yeah, they were trying to steal the vehicles.”   

In Leland, the suspects in Monday’s break-ins are also accused of stealing one vehicle, while also trying to steal another.

While it’s not yet known if these recent break-ins between Leland and New Hanover County are related, Greg Willett with the WPD says crime doesn’t always stay in one community. 

“A lot of times we’ll find out the same people that were committing crimes over here often times were committing crimes in other jurisdictions as well,” said Willett.  

 Meanwhile, Carothers plans on being more observant. 

“I mean I don’t know what it is, but you know Leland has a lot of growth, and I think with that comes issues like this from time to time. Just stay vigilant, keep your eye out for things that seem out of place, and most importantly, lock your doors,” said Carothers.    

The juvenile tied to the Leland thefts is being held on one count of larceny of a motor vehicle, with more charges pending.