Unidentified thieves targeting unlocked vehicles in campgrounds to steal pistols
15 guns taken from locations in Outer Banks
RODANTHE, N.C. — Unidentified thieves in search of pistols have been preying upon unsuspecting campers who aren’t locking their vehicles at Outer Banks campgrounds, authorities said.
Over the past month, an unusually high number of firearms — 15 — have been snatched from unlocked vehicles, mostly from a campground in Rodanthe, said Lt. Doug Oberbeck with the Dare County Sheriff ’s Office.
Investigators say it’s likely that the same person or group are behind all the thefts, most of which are happening at night.
The thieves are finding loaded automatic pistols in glove compartments, under seats and in center consoles, Oberbeck said. Cash and a few wallets also were stolen.
Gun theft from vehicles isn’t uncommon throughout the Outer Banks during the tourist season. People let their guard down, Oberbeck said.
The Dare County Sheriff ’s Office and police departments warn visitors to lock their vehicles at night. Kitty Hawk Police posts on its Facebook page a list of checks to do at night including making sure doors are locked and valuables are secure. Three years ago, the Kill Devil Hills Police Department reported 14 handguns stolen from vehicles in two months.
This is an unusually concentrated crime spree; someone has discovered t hat campgrounds offer a cluster of vulnerable victims, Oberbeck said.
The rash of thefts began Sept. 4 when a handgun was reported stolen, according to a crime report from the Dare County Sheriff ’s Office. The report shows another 11 were taken during the month, almost one every other day.
“To have 12 guns stolen in a month is pretty substantial for us,” Oberbeck said. “We’ll usually have one or two a month.”
Three more were stolen by Oct. 4, Oberbeck said.
The weapons are often traded or sold for drugs and many end up in larger cities such as Virginia Beach, Oberbeck said.
Most of the thefts were at Camp Hatteras in Rodanthe, a park with 400 sites for recreational vehicles, Oberbeck said. A Camp Hatteras representative could not be reached.
Several large RV campgrounds in Hatteras Island communities get crowded during the busy season.
A thief can quickly check for unlocked doors without being seen or heard.
“I don’t understand how people could be so irresponsible with their guns,” s ai d Virginia O’Neal, who manages the North Beach Campground and General Store. “I’m really upset about it.”
She has not heard of any gun thefts at her campground but she plans to put up a sign in the store warning people to lock their doors.
“They should offer a reward,” she said.