Gates County isn’t alone in what appears to be a wave of residential breaking-and-enterings (B&E’s).

Sheriff Ed Webb said his office is investigating a rash of B&E’s within Gates County and is soliciting the public’s help in ending this crime spree.

“We are actively investigating multiple B&E’s here in the county,” Sheriff Webb said. “This seems to be a pattern here in our part of the state. I’ve gotten reports of the same types of crimes, the majority involving the theft of guns, from Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan and Washington counties. In some cases there have been thefts involving TV’s and other types of electronics.”

Webb said he met last week with law enforcement officials from the aforementioned counties.

“We shared the information we had concerning the break-ins and larcenies in our counties to see if they were in any way connected,” the Sheriff reported.

While the investigations are ongoing, Webb said the best advice he could offer Gates County citizens was to be on alert for suspicious individuals and vehicles in local neighborhoods. He said, to date, his office has received reports of vans, compact cars, full size cars and light pick-up trucks that may be connected with these crimes.

“The reports of these vehicles vary from county to county, so I would advise to be on the lookout for any type of suspicious vehicle,” Webb suggested. “If you do notice one in your neighborhood, don’t hesitate, call us immediately and give us the best description you can of that vehicle. The quicker we receive that information, the quicker we can act on it.”

The Gates County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 357-0210. A reward is offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in this rash of crimes.