By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Salisbury police are cautioning residents to take personal items out of vehicles and warning against leaving vehicles idle to prevent theft following several vehicle break-ins in the last few days.

A woman reported on Monday around 3:40 p.m. she left her vehicle running and parked at the BP gas station/McDonald’s restaurant at 601 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. while she went to use the bathroom and pay for her gas. A witness told her someone took off in her car.

Police found the vehicle a short time later in the 2700 block of Cottage Street, located off S. Main Street. According to police Lt. Lee Walker, the vehicle struck a house and was still running when officers arrived. A case of Coors Light beer was on the ground near the vehicle, but no one was inside it. It’s not clear if anyone was home at the time.

Walker said officers spotted a man near Fleming Candy Company who had blood on his hands and broken fingers. There also was also found in the vehicle.

The investigation continues, Walker said.

A woman also reported on Monday that someone stole her 2006 Honda Civic while it was parked in her driveway in the 200 block of S. Link Avenue. The woman told police her son warmed up the car early that morning around 7:30. When she went outside sometime around 8 a.m., the car was gone. The keys were left inside and the doors were unlocked.

The gray, two-door vehicle was recently damaged and has a license plate of CMV 1193. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 866-639-5245.

In another Monday incident, a woman reported she came outside to find her 2013 Kia Soul had been damaged. The woman, who lived in the 900 block of South Jackson Street, said the rear window was busted and there were dents in the car as if someone made attempts to get the door open. The woman reported nothing was taken and the vehicle was parked in the rear of her residence.

Walker advises motorists, to “lock your car and take your keys with you.”

He also suggests placing items of value inside the trunk or out of sight.

In Rowan County Sheriff’s Office reports

• A woman was charged Friday with methamphetamine possession after falling asleep in a stranger’s driveway in the 1600 block of Peeler Road.

• Franklin Service & Garage reported on Saturday someone took items from a vehicle parked there.

• A woman reported on Saturday she was the victim of a burglary in the 4600 block of Stokes Ferry Road.

• A man reported on Saturday someone stole firearms from his residence in the 5800 block of Bringle Ferry Road.

• A woman reported on Saturday she was the victim of a burglary in the 2300 block of McGee Street, Kannapolis.

• A man reported on Sunday someone broke into his vehicle, stole items including a bank card while it was parked in the 1300 block of Glenfield Drive.

• A woman reported on Sunday she was the victim of a vehicle break-in in the 1100 block of Oakbluff Drive.

• Jackie Beth Mauldin, 31, was charged on Friday with possession of a controlled substance schedule II. She fell asleep in a stranger’s driveway and was found with meth.

• Joe Dillon Nichols, 24, was charged on Friday with second-degree kidnapping in the 1000 block of Cranfield Lane.

• Deanna Gay Ingram, 46, was charged on Friday with the burning of personal property in the 500 block of South Yadkin Avenue.