Break-ins plague downtown

Clyde Waiden, owner of City Diner in Franklinton, recently posted a sign on the front door of the restaurant that reads: "We don't leave cash in the building after we close."

Waiden is the victim of three attempted break-ins last week.

The Franklinton Police Department is investigating the cases but has not found any leads yet, according to Det. Frank Murray. He said the first break-in was reported on Jan. 12 by Waiden, who told police that someone tried to enter the business at 5 S. Main St. through the back door near an air conditioning unit.

The next day Waiden reported a second break-in attempt. This time the suspects used a brick to break out the front glass window. Fortunately for Waiden, the suspects did not gain entry into the building either time but did leave about $300 worth of damages to repair.

Down a few blocks at 206 E. Mason Street, Paul Fuller, the owner of H&H Cleaners, reported that someone also tried to break into his business on Jan. 13 by prying open the metal bars covering a window. Murray said a prying tool was found near the crime scene.

In hopes of deterring theft, Franklinton town officials and the police department decided to designate a parking space for a patrol car to be parked across the street from Franklinton High School on the corner of Mason and Main streets. Commissioners approved the parking spot at their regular board meeting Jan. 15.

"We're looking for more ways to increase visibility on the streets," Commissioner Joseph Cutchins said.

Cutchins, chairman of the town's emergency committee, told the board it is important that the town's residents know that their leaders are working to provide the best protection they can provide for residents.

Police Chief Ray Gilliam said the car will be both manned and unmanned. "It will be available to patrolmen in case of emergency situations," he added.

Gilliam said the police department received 180 calls in December. Cutchins also said that Subway and Trade Mart had recently been robbed and there were several incidents of shoplifting at Food Lion.

The department is working shorthanded now, Gilliam said, with one vacant position to be filled. Police officers have been juggling their schedules and taking turns filling in a 12-hour shift that has to be covered.

"I've even done a couple of shifts myself," Gilliam said. "It's draining, but it's got to be filled."