Hamlet PD investigating business, car break-ins

HAMLET — A local business owner had a mess to clean up Thursday morning following a break-in.

Ray Mills, current owner of Axe to Grind in Hamlet, shared security video with the RO appearing to show two suspects wearing hoods breaking into the side door of the restaurant and bar.

Mills said the break-in occurred around 3:15 a.m., just a few hours after the venue closed at 11 p.m.

In addition to smashing the glass door, the suspects also reportedly smashed a glass display case and stole around $3,500 worth of THCa and gummies, according to Mills.

According to Phil Dixon Jr. with the UNC School of Government, products with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC are considered as hemp and are legal in the state.

Mills said the damage estimate is around $1,500.

Investigators with the Hamlet Police Department say the smash-and-grab took about 15 seconds, and that the suspects were “well covered up,” wearing hoods and masks and were not recognizable.

The angle of the security video, in addition to it being black and white, also hinders identification, according to police.

The video appears to show the suspects approaching the business from across the street, near the corner of Hamlet Avenue and Raleigh Street.

Upon leaving, the suspects appear to turn to the left in front of Ace Hardware.

Police are also investigating a vehicle break-in at Hood Packaging late last week.

This case also involved two suspects breaking into a single vehicle in the parking lot in the overnight hours.

Both cases are still under investigation.

Anyone with information on either case is encouraged to call 910-582-2551, Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454, or use the P3 Tips app.