Two arrests made in vehicle break-ins
By Staff Reports
Published in News on February 1, 2015 1:50 AM
Two people have been charged in connection with a rash of motor vehicles break-ins within Wayne County and Goldsboro. Most of the vehicles were unlocked.
The arrests of Amber Bennett, 22, of 101 Crestwood Drive, and Joseph Wilson Hasty, 22, Irish Inns, Room 128, Goldsboro, and 112 Merlin Lane, LaGrange, follow a joint investigation by detectives with Goldsboro Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Alert patrol deputies are being credited with helping to break the case.
Ms. Bennett was charged by sheriff's detective with two counts of felony financial transaction card fraud and placed under a $25,000 bond.
Hasty was charged with five counts of felony break-in to a motor vehicle, one count of felony larceny of a firearm and three counts of misdemeanor larceny and placed under a $85,000 bond.
In addition to those charges, it was discovered that Hasty had seven orders for arrests for probation violation. He was placed under a $70,000 bond on those charges.
The Sheriff's Office secured additional warrants on Hasty, charging him with multiple counts of break-in to motor vehicles, multiple counts of misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods. He was placed under a $412,500 bond.
Goldsboro police also charged Hasty with multiple counts of break-in to a motor vehicle, two counts of felony possession of firearm by a felon, two counts each of felony larceny and possession of a firearm, multiple counts of felony and misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.
He received a $47,000 bond on those charges.
On Jan. 29, the "B" shift patrol deputies were once again taking reports of break-ins in the Raintree subdivision/Hood Swamp area. As the deputies continued to take reports, they received information on two locations where the suspects might have been spotted.
The deputies passed the information to the detective division, and two detectives were assigned to follow up.
The detectives continued to follow the lead, and by the afternoon, had developed two suspects and the location where they were staying -- Room 128 of the Irish Inns motel.
The detectives were concerned that weapons could be in the motel room with the suspects, so they requested additional law enforcement personnel.
Additional Sheriff's Office detectives were sent to the hotel. The Goldsboro Police Department Investigations Division was notified and personnel from that division were sent to the scene as well.
Sheriff's Office detectives were able to enter the room without incident where they found Ms. Bennett and Hasty.
The detectives then explained why they were there.
During a search of the motel room, numerous items were located that were determined to have been taken during the break-ins.
Ms. Bennett and Hasty were taken to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Annex where the investigation was continued by both Sheriff's Office and Goldsboro police personnel.
It was determined that Hasty was responsible for break-ins to motor vehicles in the following areas: Hood Swamp/Raintree subdivision area, Pineview Cemetery Road area, Long's Plant Farm Road area, East New Hope Road/Ryan Blvd./Ryan Way area and South Harding Drive area (in the city limits of Goldsboro).
On the morning of Jan. 30, the Sheriff's Office detectives and the Goldsboro police continued the investigation. A search was conducted, and a shotgun taken from one of the Goldsboro Police Department cases was located and seized.
"It was only through the collaborative efforts of all law enforcement officers, the different agencies working together and citizen involvement that these cases were solved," Sheriff Larry Pierce said. "I am proud of and very appreciative of the work my detectives have done on these cases since they started.
"Citizens have to get involved in all investigations these days. Sometimes it is just that little bit of information that a citizen has that will lead to a break for the investigating officers to solve the case."