Lynn Owens woke up Wednesday morning ready to drive her children to school, only to discover her car missing from the driveway. A dash‑cam video later confirmed a thief broke into the vehicle, drove it a short distance, and abandoned it, taking Owens’ wallet, keys and about $1,500 in cash.
Tracking device shows exact location
Owens had a tracking device in her wallet, which pinpointed the stolen items to a building in Durham. “I called the police and said, ‘Look, I’ve got it right on my phone. This is where my stuff is at,'” she told WRAL. She also provided the gas station where the thief used her credit card.
Despite the precise location, Owens says Raleigh police have not returned with any assistance. After filing a report and sharing the digital evidence, she received no follow‑up. “I’m doing the best I can, which is – you folks who are trained to do right and to make this right,” Owens said, adding that she does not believe officers even visited the site.
Durham police defer to Raleigh
When Owens reached out to the Durham Police Department for help, the agency responded via email that the incident must be reported to Raleigh police because the crime occurred in Raleigh. Durham officials did not provide further assistance or comment.
Police say investigation is active
Raleigh police replied that the case remains an active investigation and therefore “there is no additional information to provide at this time.” The department has not offered a timeline for when, or if, the wallet might be recovered.
Community concerns about safety and accountability
Owens considered retrieving the wallet herself but decided against it, citing safety concerns. She and other residents wonder whether law‑enforcement agencies could be held liable if a citizen is injured while attempting to recover property after police decline to act.
WRAL has not received a response to that question from either department.
Impact on victims and local trust
Owens says she has made peace with the loss, but the lack of police action leaves her with a “terrible feeling” that the thieves faced “absolutely zero consequences.” The incident highlights broader concerns about how local agencies handle property crimes, especially when technology provides clear leads.
Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant, report thefts promptly, and follow up with law‑enforcement agencies if they feel a case is not being actively pursued.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
