Two charged in Walnut Creek home break-in
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on September 14, 2005 1:45 PM
Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the break-in and the theft of a 900-pound safe, firearms and other property from a home in Walnut Creek.
Erik Rubio Fuentes, 24, of Jacksonville was charged Tuesday with breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods. He was placed in the Wayne County Jail under $500,000 bond. He already was in custody in the Sampson County Jail on other charges.
Sacara Thomas of Jacksonville was arrested Tuesday by Onslow County authorities and charged with possession of stolen property.
Walnut Creek Village Police Chief Delisa M. Staps said the safe, electronic equipment and a firearm were recovered during searches of two homes in Jacksonville.
Fuentes was arrested Aug. 17 by Sampson County sheriff's deputies during a residential break-in. Two firearms stolen from the home in Walnut Creek were recovered at the time, and Fuentes was charged with possession of the stolen firearms. He was jailed in Clinton in lieu of a $30,000 secured bond.
An estimated $320,000 worth of property was stolen July 22 from Dr. Kevin Kerlan's home in the 900 block of Mill Road. The other property included jewelry, a computer, clothing, a DVD player and cash.
Chief Staps attributed the arrests and recovery of stolen property to a collaborative effort among Village Officer Brian Belden, Wayne County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Ray Brogden and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
The chief said other local and federal charges and arrests are possible.
Anyone with more information on the break-in was asked to call Walnut Creek police at 778-9991, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 731-1481 or Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Callers may be anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.