Two Scotland Neck men were charged following a Saturday morning burglary in which they reportedly shot and killed a dog trying to protect the victims during the crime.
Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement deputies received a call of a burglary in progress in the area of Mary Chapel Road located just outside the town limits of Scotland Neck around 1 a.m.
The victims were at home when three men entered the residence reportedly brandishing weapons and demanding money.
In the gallery: Smith, left, and Chavis
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During the ordeal, Hall said the dog was killed as it tried to protect its owners. It was not immediately clear whether the two men charged thus far — Sa’eed Smith, 20, and Ziayon Chavis, 19 — were familiar with the victims.
A vehicle description was given as the three people left the residence. Scotland Neck officers located a vehicle matching the description and as they approached the occupants abandoned it and ran near Church Street.
Officers and deputies located Smith and Chavis. An additional arrest is expected.
Detective Travis Clark charged both men with cruelty to animals, first-degree burglary, larceny after breaking and entering, and discharging a weapon in an occupied dwelling.
Smith and Chavis received $90,000 bonds and February 17 court dates.
Vehicle break-ins
On January 20 the sheriff’s office responded to numerous vehicle breaking and entering calls around the West Tenth Street area of Roanoke Rapids.
The break-ins occurred the evening of January 19 and the early morning hours of January 20, Hall said in a statement.
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Currency, cell phone chargers and other items of value were taken from the vehicles.
Hall said residents should lock their vehicle doors and review security camera or doorbell videos in an attempt to help investigators develop leads in the cases.
Tips or information can be forwarded to Detective R. Marshall at 252-593-1019, Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or through the P3 Tips app.
