Suspects charged in county robberies
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on August 14, 2008 1:47 PM
Pastor James Lucas was eager to have his equipment back, which was stolen from Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Fremont's Memorial Church Road.
Lucas and his flock were one of four victims -- two of them churches -- allegedly victimized by five Fremont suspects and another from Lucama, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office says.
A 30-year member of Union Grove Missionary Baptist, who asked not to be named, said the thefts made the congregation "very uncomfortable."
"We were very uncomfortable, because every time that they break in, that's more money out, more money that must come from the church," she said. "We're saddened that people's hearts are like that, that they don't care about God's house."
The congregation member, who volunteers at the church and answers the phone when Lucas is not in, said the incident affected the church in both emotional and physical ways.
Repairs are still being made inside the church, and the congregation member wondered where the money would come from if musical instruments and speakers had to be replaced.
"I just know that someone broke in and stole some stuff from us, and broke in, kicked in the back doors, went ramshackle through the place, grabbing what they wanted to get,"
"They tried to get into some other stuff, but they couldn't get it."
The charges against the men and woman also include an alleged break-in at Union Grove Free will Baptist Church in Pikeville and two residential break-ins in Kenly.
Kenly, in Johnston County, is a short trip from either of the churches, especially Union Grove Free will Baptist.
Janet Parks of Sunshine Road and Dale Kirby of N.C. 581 were victimized by burglaries on July 25 and Aug. 7, respectively, sheriff's officials said.
Detectives reported that information in the cases came by anonymous tip from a citizen.
That led detectives on the path to accusing six Fremont-area people
Accused in having some role in the break-ins and burglaries are:
*Brandon Ashley Sullivan, 20, N.C. 581 North, charged with one count of breaking or entering a place of worship, felonious larceny after breaking or entering and possession of property belonging to Union Grove Free will Baptist Church. Jailed under $10,000 bond.
*Kevin Dale Edge, 23, Polly Watson Road, Fremont, charged with breaking or entering Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, felonious breaking and entering a residence, two counts felonious possession of stolen property, two counts larceny after breaking or entering. Jailed under $40,000 bond.
*Matthew Clayton Edge, 18, Polly Watson Road, Fremont, two counts breaking or entering a place of worship, one count of breaking or entering a residence, three counts felonious larceny after breaking or entering and three counts possession of stolen property. Jailed under $100,000 bond.
*Triston Derral Sullivan, 19, N.C. 581 North, Fremont, possession of stolen property. Jailed under $15,000 bond.
*Megon Noel Edge, 16, Polly Watson Road, one count breaking and entering, one counts felonious larceny after breaking or entering and possession of stolen property. Released under unsecured $30,000 bond.
*Kyle Robert Perry, 18, Newsome Mill Road, Lucama, one count breaking and entering, felonious larceny after breaking or entering, possession of stolen property, $30,000 bond.
Sheriff Carey Winders said that detectives would be at a loss without help from citizens, like the anonymous tip that reportedly helped break open this investigation.