Well so far in the new year, the thieves have not decided on a career change.  Home break-ins still abound in Wilkes.  At a Piney Ridge Road residence, the thief could not get in the house through a window, so he or she entered the crawl space under the house.  According to the report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department, the homeowner found that someone had removed a screen and tried to enter through a window, but the windows were nailed shut from the inside.  Then the thief removed hinges from the crawl space door and took things from under the house.  A saw, cordless drill with charger, and a black tool box with assorted tools were stolen.  Stolen property is valued at 350 dollars.  There are no leads or suspects at this time.