SMITHFIELD – Police believe two attempted business break-ins and the vandalism of a church statue are connected.
All three crimes are believed to have occurred a short time apart in the early morning hours of September 11.
An unknown person tried to break into Bullock Law Firm at 115 South Third Street and Mitchell Temporary Services at 102 E. Johnston Street.
A video camera reportedly captured the suspect topple a small statue outside Centenary United Methodist Church at 140 E. Market Street at 2:43am. Due to poor lighting, the person caught on camera could not be identified. Damage to the statue was estimated at $150.
A police spokesperson said all the incidents are likely connected. Evidence left behind by the suspect was collected from the scene of one break-in.
Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Smithfield Police at 919-934-2121.
