The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following, according to Chief Bobby Martin:
On Saturday shortly before 1:30 a.m. Detective N. Bankert and Master Officer S. Langley responded to the area of the 600 block of Cleveland Street about a burglary in progress.
The homeowners told the officers someone had entered their home while they were sleeping. The officers received another call while investigating the Cleveland Street crime and went to the area of the 600 block of Wilson Street.
The officers observed a man later identified as Michael Finch, 34, wearing a white shirt and running through yards in the neighborhood.
The officers gave chase and Finch was apprehended.
Finch was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of attempted first-degree burglary, and breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.
Martin said Finch entered two homes and unsuccessfully tried to enter three more. “I would like to commend the home owners for their quick actions which aided the police department in capturing this suspect,” Martin, who also credited the work of Lieutenant J. Baggett and the officers of A Squad, said. “The officers responding did an excellent job in locating and taking this subject into custody.”
Finch received a $30,000 bond and Thursday court date.
On Saturday shortly after 11:45 p.m. Officer J. Melvin responded to a call about a woman yelling in the area of Chockoyotte Park.
Melvin and Officer C. Walker noticed two vehicles leaving the park area.
The vehicles were stopped to investigate the yelling and to check why they were in the park after hours.
Melvin encountered a male driver whose vehicle had a strong odor of marijuana. The vehicle was searched and 10.11 grams of marijuana were seized along with a silver handgun which was hidden under the driver’s seat. The gun was reported stolen out of Florida.
The driver was 17 so officers had his parents meet them at the police department.
Officers will be seeking juvenile petitions against the teen for possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.
