An elderly Smithfield man escaped injury during a home invasion on Wednesday. It marks the fourth incident in the same general area since March. The latest incident happened on Black Creek Road, just off Highway 210.
Around 9:00am, the 76 year-old victim said he was awakened by the sound of a battery-powered alarm activating. He then encountered an intruder standing in his residence.
The suspect saw the elderly homeowner and fled on foot. The victim said the intruder stole his wallet off a table. His wallet contained a small amount of money, personal identification cards and credit cards.
Johnston County deputies responded to the scene and recovered a white hat the suspect dropped while fleeing.
Authorities are looking for a older model gold passenger car, possibly a Chevy Impala, that could be connected. The vehicle was last seen fleeing from the area towards Highway 210.
This is not the first home invasion in the Highway 210 area this year. A home invasion was reported by an elderly couple on June 24th on Galilee Road. A man said he was shot and robbed during an April 24th home invasion on Swift Creek Road just off Highway 210. And in March, a home invasion was reported in the 1400 block of Highway 210.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating all four incidents. Officials have not said if they think the incidents are connected.
