DURHAM, NC (Friday, February 20, 2026) – On the afternoon of Monday, February 16, deputies from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office patrol division were called to an employee parking lot on Maughan Drive in Research Triangle Park after more than 10 vehicles were broken into. The thieves smashed windows to gain access and took multiple items, including unsecured firearms from two of the vehicles.
In the past month, similar incidents have taken place nearby; all are believed to be the work of the same person or persons. In the 3 previous incidents between January 15 and February 11, four firearms and ammunition were also taken.
“Our community is facing a heartbreaking and critical moment. In the last week alone, seven people were shot in the city and another in the unincorporated part of the county - including the tragic death of a child, bringing the total to six lives lost in the city this year. We must act now to stop this violence by cutting off the supply of stolen weapons. We need every resident to prioritize firearm security to ensure these guns never reach the street by keeping personal firearms out of the hands of criminals and securing all guns at all times.”
According to an analysis of the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) by the
Council on Criminal Justice, gun theft increased by 42% in large urban areas between 2018 and 2022. During that same period, the rate of guns reported stolen from motor vehicles increased by 31%, while thefts from residential and commercial locations dropped. About half of those gun thefts occurred when vehicles were parked at the owner’s residence, but thefts from locations away from home - like parking lots and garages - skyrocketed by 76%.
Criminals aren’t looking for pocket change or sunglasses when they target your car; they are looking for guns. Firearms are not secure when stored under a seat or even locked in a glove box. If you must leave a gun in your vehicle, the only way to properly secure it is with a bolted-in safe.
In 2023, while serving as Attorney General, Governor Josh Stein launched the
NC SAFE Program to raise awareness of the dangers posed by unsecured firearms at home and in vehicles.
"I implore every firearm owner: if you cannot properly secure your weapon in a vehicle using a bolted-in safe, leave it at home," added Sheriff Birkhead. "A gun left unsecured in a vehicle is an invitation to tragedy. By taking this simple step, you aren't just protecting your property; you could be saving a life."
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office provides free cable gun locks during business hours in the lobby of the Durham County Courthouse to help people secure firearms in their homes.
