320,000 dollars in property, 900-pound safe stolen
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on July 26, 2005 1:52 PM
An estimated $320,000 worth of property, including firearms, jewelry and a locked 900-pound safe, have been stolen from a home in the Village of Walnut Creek.
The amount of property stolen was believed to be the largest in the village's history and also one of the largest in Wayne County history.
The bold thieves stole the items between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday from Dr. Kevin Kerlin's home near the Walnut Creek Country Club in the 900 block of Mill Road.
Village Police Chief Delisa Staps is asking the public for help in solving the crime. She said that anyone in the area during that time who can provide information on what they saw, no matter how small or insignificant, should call her office at 778-9991, her fax at 778-6088 or Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 735-2255.
She said investigators have developed leads from a couple of vehicles seen in the area at the time.
Crime Stoppers has designated the break-in and theft as its "Crime of the Week." Callers may remain anonymous, and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.
Kerlin's firearms collections included a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, a .38 caliber pistol, a revolver, other handguns and collectible weapons.
Staps declined to describe the collectible weapons, the missing jewelry or the amount of cash taken.
The thieves also stole electronic equipment, a DVD player, a 34-inch television, computers and clothing.
Law-enforcement officers from Wayne and adjoining counties and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tax and Firearms are assisting in the investigation.