Sheriff’s deputies are investigating two car break-ins at Laurel Fork Trailhead over the weekend.
Burglars stole items from the vehicles, and vandalism disabled them both, a police report said.
Both incidents happened over the weekend at the trailhead parking area in Hampton. Carter County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Mosier arrived at the parking area shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday after a report of a burglary of a motor vehicle.
Mosier spoke to a couple from Glade Spring, Va., who said they parked their car around 12:15 p.m. that day to hike the trail with their two daughters.
“They stated that when they returned to their vehicle around 4 p.m., they realized the vehicle would not start,” Mosier said. “They then realized that two wires underneath the hood of their car above the front right tire had been cut.”
After discovering the damage to their vehicle, the woman realized her purse was missing.
The damage to the vehicle’s wiring was estimated at $200, Mosier said.
While on the scene, Mosier spoke to another man and woman — both from Johnson City — who reported a similar incident. The man said they had parked their car about 1:30 p.m. to hike the trail and returned around 4, when their vehicle would not start.
“They soon realized that the vehicle had been burglariezed and that the wires had been cut to disable the vehicle,” Mosier said.
The man reported he was missing four fishing rods and reels, a tackle box containing about $2,500 worth of flies and lures, and about $35 in change. The woman reported $45 in cash missing but said the rest of her belongings were in place.
Mosier said the damage to the second vehicle also was about $200.