More Thefts From Cars Blamed on Pair

Wilkesboro Police continue to connect a pair of men arrested Tuesday at Lowes Motel to a number of thefts from unlocked cars in the past several days. As we reported earlier today, police arrested Gary Wiles and Dean Madden in a room at Lowe's motel, after another reported theft from the motel parking lot. They found at least one cell phone and a number of credit and debit cards and belonging to several people in town. So far, either Wiles or Madden faces charges in connection with at least six similar thefts that occurred early in the week, many of which were not reported until police contacted the property owners to try and return their stuff.

In each instance, the owner says they'd left their car unlock or the windows down, and a purse, briefcase or wallet had been stolen. The thieves did not always take purses or briefcases very far, in some cases opening them up on the driveway right in front of the car and rifling them standing right there. There are a total of at least 8 victims. Wilkes and Madden were booked on drug charges and for the theft reported at Lowe's motel, and charges are continuing to be added as other cases are discovered. The locations of the thefts include Brook Street, Meadowood Lane, a business on East Main, a home on Curtis Bridge Road, North Moravian Street, and the motel. Police say they have not recovered all the stolen property, and they continue to work the cases.