Calling them careless acts, HPD is asking for the public's assistance in finding the responsible individuals. Police say that what may have started as a simple prank had the potential to pose significant danger, provoke panic in the school and tie up emergency service resources.
The HPD, in cooperation with North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers, is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the identity and arrest of those involved in these incidents. Call Crime Stoppers at 704-766-2525 and leave a message, or contact Det. R.E. Rojas of the Criminal Investigations Division at 704-464-5346. All calls will remain confidential.
HPD catches man red-handed in B&E
Huntersville police arrested a man Monday for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and perhaps solved a number of other vehicle B&Es in the process. On Monday, Dec. 5, at 3 a.m., HPD officers arrested 37-year-old Christopher Stephen Collins on Marion Lavern Road in the Cashion Woods subdivision when they discovered him breaking into a vehicle and in possession of stolen property.
After he was transported to Mecklenburg County Jail, HPD reports that five additional vehicle B&Es were reported in the same neighborhood, and Collins is being investigated for involvement in those crimes as well. He was also charged with resisting arrest.
In the past week, the HPD has investigated more than 26 vehicle B&Es in the nearby Stephens Grove subdivision. As a result of these incidents, officers increased crime prevention activities in neighborhoods along Beatties Ford Road to help prevent future incidents from occurring.
Almost all of the vehicles involved in these incidents were unlocked at the time the crimes occurred. The HPD reminds citizens to lock their vehicles and remove all valuable items from plain view.
Anyone with information about these crimes or wanting more information should contact Deputy Chief Michael Kee at 704-464-5400.
Citizen cop academy accepts applications
The Huntersville Police Department is accepting applications from Huntersville residents for the fifth annual Citizen's Police Academy. The academy begins Tuesday, Jan. 24, and is a 10-week program held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Huntersville Police Department, at 102 Gilead Road. Classes will continue through March 27.
The Citizen's Police Academy is designed to nurture public trust through informing citizens of the role the police department serves in the community. The academy is a community relations program and is not designed to train citizens to be police officers or to be the department's representatives. Its purpose is to provide citizens a basic but realistic view of what the police really do. The academy is intended to be an interactive program involving participants in "hands on" activities.
There is no charge, but to enroll, each participant must complete an application that can be found on the HPD's Web site, www.huntersvillepd.org, or by sending an e-mail to Sgt. Tom Seifert at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications should be submitted to the HPD by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012. Class size is limited and, if needed, a selection process will be used.
To participate, applicants must live or work in the Town of Huntersville; be 18 years of age or older; must not have been convicted of, or have pending charges for, any felony offense; and must not have been convicted of, or have pending charges for, any misdemeanor offense within the last two years.
CPD holds home security seminar
Cornelius residents are invited to attend a seminar titled "Keeping Your Home Safe When You Are Away." The seminar will be held Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Cornelius Police Department. Officers will share with residents tips on keeping their home secure during the holiday and travel season.
Any resident who would like to attend is asked to RSVP by Monday, Dec. 12, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 704-892-1363.
Hough looking for a few good cookies
Hough High School is looking for cookies. The school's annual cookie walk will be held Friday, Dec. 16, and the school's PTSA is asking for cookie donations to treat the staff. Generous bakers are asked to make three dozen Christmas cookies or bars to send into the school by 9:30 a.m. on the day of the walk, and also to send an e-mail to PTSA Staff Appreciation chairperson Kim Cassarino at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to report what type of cookie they plan to provide.
