By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Someone tried to break into a China Grove pawnshop, but it appears the would-be thief was scared off by a security alarm before anything was taken, Rowan County authorities said.

The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. Tuesday at Pearl’s Pawn & Gun, 1598 N. Main St.

The alarm was still sounding when deputies arrived. Deputies noted the front door was secured as it had been when the owner closed. But a back door that rolls up was damaged and knocked off track.

Officers checked inside the business but found no one there. The owner, Charles McDaries, who was called to the scene, looked inside but didn’t find anything missing.

Deputies found a wallboard hammer lying near the building that the owner said did not belong to him. Investigators believe the hammer was used to break the back door so thieves could gain access inside.

Someone also had looked through a Jeep parked outside. The owner said it was unlocked. Deputies determined that someone went through the glovebox, but nothing was taken.

Surveillance camera footage doesn’t show anyone in the building. Investigators believe that after the thieves broke the back door, the alarm sounded and they left.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.