RRSpin - At least $17K in merchandise recovered; four charged

Tuesday, 13 December 2016 12:28

At least $17K in merchandise recovered; four charged

Written by Lance Martin

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Babb, left, and Davis sort through the evidence.

Roanoke Rapids police say the owners of a business broken into last month estimate between $17,000 to $18,000 worth of merchandise was stolen in the crime.

Captain Bobby Martin said the evidence being inventoried today is one of the largest amounts of stolen merchandise seized in recent history.
Police Monday arrested four people in the November 27 break-in of a store on Roanoke Avenue after serving a search warrant at a residence where the merchandise was discovered in the 300 block of Monroe Street.
Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement the search warrant was served at approximately 11:30 a.m. by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, agents of the City County Drug Task Force and the Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators, Hasty said in the statement, received information which led to issuance and execution of the warrant at the residence.
“Our investigators work hard,” Hasty said this afternoon. “They work long hours to provide a great service to the citizens in trying to get their property back.”
Martin said the majority of people in the Monroe Street house were family members.
While investigators have not placed a value on the merchandise seized, Martin said, “In talking with the business owners, they estimated it to be between $17,000 to $18,000.”
He said the majority of the items seized from the house are believed to be from the November break-in on Roanoke Avenue and could possibly contain items taken from other businesses or other possible break-ins.
Martin said it was too early in the investigation to discuss motive. “I can’t begin to tell you what they thought. We’re still sorting.”

In the gallery: Investigators sort through the evidence this morning.

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Investigators used the first floor conference room at city hall this morning to sort the scores of clothes and other items recovered from the Monroe Street residence.
The amount of evidence seized, Martin said, “Goes to show that our detectives work hard for the victims. They don’t leave any stone unturned. We’re still early in the investigation into suspects. There’s a lot of man hours here. We have four detectives who do a very good job with the limited manpower we have.”
Hasty said in the statement investigation began when Officer A. Green found the business had been broken into. Green saw the back door of the business open.
Lieutenant J. Baggett, Officer J. Mason along with Green secured and cleared the business. Investigator C. Babb was called in to process the crime scene and conducted further investigation.

The following were arrested during the execution of the search warrant Monday:

Jerel Alexander Cureton was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen property and conspiracy.
Bond: $20,000

Derrick Lamont Smith Jr. was charged with felony possession of stolen property and served additional warrants from a separate matter.
Bond: $1,500

Tameka Smith was charged with felony possession of stolen property and served an outstanding order for arrest.
Bond: $2,315

De’Asia Whitley was charged with obtaining property by false pretense, felony possession of stolen property and served multiple outstanding multiple orders for arrest from Franklin and Wilson counties.
Bond: $10,315
They all have January 4 court dates.
Martin along with investigators J.K. Davis, G.L. Williams assisted.