Herman Lee Edwards is considered a person of interest by Roanoke Rapids police in the murder of Lorenzo Tann Jr. Wednesday night.
Edwards, who is known by the nickname Smurf, already has a warrant for his arrest in the Sunday night murder of Brandon Tyrone Peterson.
Captain Andy Jackson said this morning, Edwards, along with three others charged in the Weldon murder of Peterson, were charged with a September 15 break-in at Old Farm Road Apartments.
Information about the alleged involvement in the break-ins surfaced through the murder investigation.
Edwards, is wanted for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.
Jackson said Edwards is considered armed and dangerous and is known to frequent different areas, from Weldon to Northampton County.
His hair is believed to be shorter than it is in the mugshot released by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.
Meanwhile, Jackson said the others in the case face the following charges associated with the break-in:
Kevin Joseph Baxton, 26, of East Orange, New Jersey, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.
Daniel Staime, of New York, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.
Adrianne Kay Daniel, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possessing a stolen TV from the break-in, in which a laptop computer, assorted liquor and a safe containing assorted papers were also taken.
The people arrested in the murder and break-in were acquaintances of Edwards, Jackson said, and police are looking into the possibilities of whether the people arrested could be involved in more break-ins.
Jackson said the cooperation between the sheriff's office and the Weldon Police Department has been a worthwhile endeavor in the cases. “It is a joint effort that pays big dividends. We all continue to work together. Hopefully we can bring resolution to some other crimes including the murder.”
Staime, who is in custody in Nassau County, New York, was apprehended in that state when it was discovered he was driving a stolen car.
Major Bruce Temple of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said investigators are working with the District Attorney's office to prepare the paperwork necessary to bring him back to Halifax County.
Temple said he was pleased with the investigation by detectives and narcotics agents. “I am beyond pleased. I have great admiration for their dedication in their day to day working, especially recently in dealing with the influx of homicide and robbery.”
Asked if narcotics agents were working on the case because it was drug related, Temple said, “With the volume of work that needs to be done we had to pull resources together to complete the task , we were otherwise understaffed to deal with influx.”
He also credited the work of detectives J. Sealey and J. Puhak, for solving the case through what he described as very astute work that led to a break in the case.
Lorenzo Tann Jr. was found shot beside a house at 119 Madison Street from a gunshot wound to the head shortly before 8 p.m.
Jackson declined comment on what type of gun was used and declined comment on how many shots were fired.
