S&W Sports in Concord Burglarized

Investigators at the are looking into the possibility that a local burglary, two other burglary attempts, and four arson incidents during the last week, may be connected.

According to a press release, the location on South Main Street was burglarized during the early morning hours of Jan. 3. A Gary Fisher Superfuly 100 mountain bike valued at more than $3,000, was reportedly stolen from the store. Officers responded to an alarm at the store at around 1:45 a.m. and discovered signs of a break-in.

Security video from S&W revealed a suspect wearing dark pants with a light-colored vertical stripe, a slight-colored sweatshirt, and a hooded sweatshirt or jacket that had a camouflaged design. The suspect arrived at the location driving a dark-colored pickup truck with an extended and cap that covered the bed of the truck, according to police.

Two days later, on Jan. 5, in the early morning hours, police were called to the on Triangle Park Drive near the , due to an alarm. They reportedly found signs of forced entry but it was determined later that nothing was stolen. Police report that they believe that the alarm “caused the burglars to flee.”

A little more than a half an hour later, officers were called to S&W Sports again due to an alarm activation. The store reportedly showed signs of forced entry but nothing was stolen from the location.

Investigators report that after viewing surveillance video, they reportedly saw the same pickup truck and suspect from the Jan. 3 burglary, as well as another suspect, dressed in dark clothing.

At the same time of the alarm activations, the along with police officers were sent to four “suspicious fires” in dumpsters located behind retail businesses.

“It is believed that the fires and burglaries are related, in that the fires may have been set as a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from the bike shops,” Acting Deputy Chief Keith Mitchell wrote in a press release.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help looking into these incidents. Information can be submitted to the Concord Regionally Crimeline anonymously at 603-226-3100, online at concordregionalcrimeline.com, or by texting TIP234 or CRIMES (274637). A cash award may be available to anyone who offers information that leads to the arrest and indictment of a criminal involved in the case.