Suspect tagged with 12 break-ins
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on March 5, 2008 1:46 PM
A Goldsboro man who ran from Goldsboro police after they found him at the scene of a crime now faces more charges, police said.
Sgt. Chad Calloway said Joseph Renford Roberts, 48, North Virginia Street, broke into nine businesses over the weekend.
Roberts also tried to break in at another three businesses, and police have evidence that he stole from five, authorities said.
The victimized businesses and residence were:
* Express Mini Mart, West Grantham Street
* China Taste, North George Street
* Goldsboro Drug Co., North Center Street
* Comco No. 200, West Ash Street
* Goldsboro Iron and Metal, North John Street
* Pinky's Hair Palace, A Street
* His Point of View Barber Shop, North William Street
* Illiano's Italian Restaurant, North William Street
* George Street Grill, North George Street
* Lamar Enterprises, South George Street
* Goldsboro Tire and Auto, North George Street
* A residence owned by Dennis Town
Roberts was already in jail on charges that he broke into Mary's Drive Inn on West Ash Street on Saturday night, police said.
Goldsboro Police Maj. Mike Hopper said the number of break-ins that occurred tested the mettle and resources of the department.
"The shift sergeant, he was really discouraged," Hopper said. "Here they were trying to do the best that they can, and there's break-in after break-in after break-in."
Investigators Bryant Canady and Dave Cloutier were assigned to the case and charged Roberts with nine felony-level counts and one count of misdemeanor breaking and entering, Calloway said.
Bond for the new charges was set at $100,000, the police sergeant said.
Calloway praised three officers and Sgt. Trey Ball of the D Shift, saying they were "instrumental" in the initial arrest of Roberts on Saturday night.