The operation, involving more than 30 vehicles, stretched from the Lake Gaston area of Halifax County to the Thelma Road area outside Roanoke Rapids, Lieutenant Bobby Martin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said this afternoon.

Jones

The investigation by Martin and Detective R. Somogyi, along with the Littleton Police Department, resulted in warrants being taken out on Ricky Edmonds and the arrest of Nekia Jones.

Investigation of the initial tip led the sheriff’s office to determine that Edmonds, 46, of Littleton, was allegedly the person seen getting out of the vehicle and Jones, 23, also of Littleton, was allegedly the driver.

Martin said investigation began nearly two months ago when a large number of motor vehicle break-in reports began rolling in. The reports ranged from break-ins to two vehicles being stolen in the county and one in Littleton to the theft of coins and cash left inside the vehicles. Martin said small electronic items were also removed from vehicles and that the combination of damages and property taken probably totals more than $5,000.

“The biggest thing was people in the lake (area) saw a suspicious vehicle and a man being let out. We had no suspects until we got that report,” Martin said. “We started exchanging information with Littleton and following leads.”

Through the investigation several items have been recovered and returned to the owners. Additional items were recovered and the sheriff’s office is trying to locate the owners, due to the fact they may not know the items are missing.

One of the items recovered.

The investigation with Littleton helped close several of the town’s cases, Martin said.

Edmonds, who has not been located, faces one count of second-degree burglary, seven counts of breaking and entering, three counts of larceny after breaking and entering, one count of possession of stolen goods, four counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, three counts of misdemeanor larceny and seven counts of injury to property.

Jones has been charged with one count of second-degree burglary, three counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, one count of felony larceny, one count of possession of stolen goods and larceny after breaking and entering.

She was jailed on $10,000 bond and has a November 14 court date.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Edmonds or who believes their property may have been stolen is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8051 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.