Burglar Jumps from Second Floor, Escapes

As of Thursday, February 17, 2011

Southern Pines police are still searching for a burglar they say jumped from a second-story window when a the homeowner returned.

Virginia Monroe, 35, left her home at 375 Country Club Drive about 8:30 a.m. to run an errand. She returned home approximately 15 minutes later and noticed the forced entry, said Lt. Rodney Hardy of the Southern Pines police.

“She calls for her dog, and dials 9-1-1, Hardy said. “Then she hears a smash, goes around the house and sees him (suspect) running.”

The suspect had entered the home from a first-floor side door, and exited by jumping out a second floor window in the back of the home, he said.

Police are looking for a man described as a black male in his 20s, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing between 215 and 225 pounds. He was wearing a black sweatshirt and grey pants. He fled the scene heading east on Indiana and may have last been spotted at East Massachusetts Avenue and North Weymouth Road, according to police.

A police K-9 unit tracked the suspect a short distance, but then lost the trail, Hardy said.

There were no items listed as stolen from the home on the police report.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at (910) 693-4110.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the department's Tip Line at (910) 693-4110.

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CSmithson 2 years, 3 months ago

The headline says "robbery" but the story says "burglary." There is a difference between the two. Robbery requires the presence of a victim and the use or threat of violence.

listenup 2 years, 3 months ago

Pilot...PLEASE follow up on this story. If the guy is caught or not. VERY ofter we see stories like this and it is the last we hear of it. The public needs to know the outcome of this kind of thing.

edmonroedds 2 years, 3 months ago

Leave it to out town councilman to attempt to minimize what was a very traumatic event for our family. My wife walked in on a "Burglar" in our house near our precious downtown Southern Pines. His presence, Chris, was a threat to her safety. Too often these kinds of invasions are happening here. Is it your response, when asked about what our town is doing about crime, to attempt minimize the problems that are happening here. It seems to me that the more appropriate response from our public officials would be that you are concerned and that a more public resources need to be dedicated towards fighting crime. Your comment, on the contrary seems to make this event sound less signifant. I trust that, if this had happened to you, your concerns wouldn't be the unintentional misuse of the word "robbery".

TooHot 2 years, 3 months ago

Decaf maybe? I didn't read that post as an affront to the victim. In fact, the story has apparently been edited and corrected. He had a point.

htsmaque 2 years, 3 months ago

agree-The Pilot should follow up on this, solved or not. Whether folks know it or not, there has been an epidemic of this type of crime for quite a while in Moore Co. Once you've been a victim, you start talking to others & soon find that out. Heaven help him if I catch him in a compromised position.

CSmithson 2 years, 3 months ago

Ed, I am very sorry you and your family were victims of a crime. My response was to question whether the incident in the story was a robbery or a burglary. The Pilot often mixes up these two terms, especially in their hastily-posted online articles. Robbery is a violent crime and my concern was even greater with the possibility of something like that happening in our town.

Clearly, walking in on someone breaking into your house is very traumatic. I can only imagine what that feels like. Having no knowledge of the case other than what was posted here online, I sought to clarify what kind of crime it was so the public would have the best information, especially if it was a robbery. Robbery implies violence and I was especially concerned about a violent person on the run in town and in an otherwise very peaceful and safe neighborhood.

Chris

GoldenDreams 2 years, 3 months ago

Ed, I know you are frustrated about the crime that took place in your home, and to make it worse, your wife was present. That was terrible and I feel for her. But Mr. Smithson was just looking for a clarification about the incident. Was is it a burglary or a robbery? Your post now made it clear but The Pilot did not. Let's hope the police catch this man fast and I know Mr. Smithson wants the same outcome, as do the people of Moore County.

eflat7 2 years, 3 months ago

Im glad he ran when she came home and didn't wait around for her to get in the house. No telling what he would have done. I am so glad she is ok. Scary.

enoughisenough 2 years, 3 months ago

in response to council...so pines always likes to act as if they don't have any crime. why be concerned if the article read "robbery" instead of "burglary." it's still a terrible crime. infact the only difference is the use of force against another or the apparent use of a weapon. it's not like the town doesn't have it's fair share of both. most go unsolved. it's time to take the blinders off and realize that the town has a serious drug problem, which most crime in some way is linked to, and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. by downgrading and turning a blind eye doesn't solve the problem...doesn't make it go away either. the public would be fine reading articles saying "drug arrest made" "robbers caught." southern pines has the areas worse reputation for drugs (especially certain parts of the town). why is it that there isn't a drug officer assigned to the police department there???