Knightdale — The number of break-ins in April quadrupled over the past months, said Lt. David R. Simmons of the Knightdale Public Safety Department.

Three businesses and nine residences were broken into in April.

“It comes and goes, but 12 in a month is quite a bit for us," he said. "Normally we have two or three incidents. And we are seeing a trend in television set and gun thefts."

The fire arms and television sets came from homes.

Thieves made off also with three John Deere ride-on lawn mowers from Home Depot on Knightdale Boulevard April 2. They entered an outside storage area for the home and garden items, Simmons said, adding that to get inside, the thieves cut a chain link fence.

On April, 13, intruders made off with a cash register with $60 of cash inside from La Mexicanita, a convenience store at 301 First St. They also took calling cards and threw a computer off the counter.

Thieves smashed open the glass door to enter, like they did April 13 at La Reina, a convenience store at 2015 Village Park Dr., Simmons said.

Six pairs of cowboy boots, ten long-sleeved dress shirts and CDs were missing from the store.

While the intruders entered the businesses mostly at night, residential break-ins usually occur during the day, Simmons said.

“Most go to a back door or window that’s not in plain view and pry the door or window open,” he said. “It’s like anything else. The same people commit the same type of crimes. Until that person or group is caught, they’ll pick on a certain area."

Simmons said police have leads that could help solve the incidents.