BLOUNT COUNTY — After seeing a man going through his unlocked car on surveillance, Aaron Nichols and the rest of his neighborhood in Maryville got in contact with police.
“We’ve had a lot of break-ins and vandalism to vehicles in the newer side of the neighborhood," said Nichols. “They came and did fingerprints on the window and that was pretty much it.”
The man investigators say was caught on camera was Charles Christopher Durance.
He is currently in custody with Loudon County Sheriff's Office facing charges from Loudon County, Blount County, and Maryville law enforcement. His charges include unlawful possession of a firearm and theft among others still pending.
“We were unaware of him being here at all," said Nichols.
Lieutenant John Kelly with Oak Ridge Police Department says Summer can make car theft easier for crooks.
“It’s not unusual for people to be out in warmer weather. Where if it was middle of winter, freezing cold it might be unusual for someone to be out walking the streets," he said.
Since this incident, Nichols' Maryville neighborhood placed a watch sign warning potential thieves and vandals that the neighborhood is under surveillance.
Luckily, nothing was in his unlocked car, but he said the experience was a good reminder of the importance of locking all vehicles.
“Make sure doors are locked and keep everything armed," Nichols said.
Lieutenant Kelly said to keep a crime of convenience from happening comes down to making sure the crimes are not convenient.
“Basically what you want to do, in order to prevent crime, is take away the opportunity for the crime to occur. So, lock your doors, lock your windows, lock your cars and store your valuables out of sight,” he said.