Two Roanoke Rapids men were arrested and charged Wednesday night following a break-in in progress call at a Drake Street business.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said Lieutenant D.W. Jenkins, Sergeant C. Hagbourne and PACE Officer J. Conrad responded around 9 p.m. and found Matthew Gay, 33, at the rear.

Gay

Gay was taken into custody and a witness directed Conrad to a man later identified as Matthew Liverman, 28, walking on Georgia Avenue after being seen at the business. He was taken into custody.

Both men were charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering and jailed without the opportunity for bond due to pending charges.

Gay was scheduled to appear in district court today for a charge of felony obtaining property by false pretense.

Liverman

Liverman is scheduled to appear in district court on July 24 for failing to give info/aid to personal injury and the following day for felony larceny by removing/destroying an anti-theft device, felony conspiracy, misdemeanor larceny and misdemeanor possession of stolen goods.

The last charge is related to a June 4 shoplifting case in which more than $500 in merchandise was taken. Liverman was caught hiding in a locked bedroom at a Taylor Street residence on June 6.

“This is a perfect example of what we mean when we say if you see something say something,” Guyant said. “Getting involved is the cornerstone of community engagement.  Policing our city is everyone's responsibility.”

The police chief said, “Working as one we can get anything accomplished. We would like to thank the heads-up citizen for doing their part to keep our city safe.”

Gay and Liverman have August 2 district court dates.