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Article published Mar 7, 2006

Arrests made in 'rampage' of car break-ins

By Eric J.S. Townsend
Staff Writer
KERNERSVILLE -- An officer's foot chase at an apartment complex Sunday morning led to multiple arrests in a two-month "rampage" of car break-ins across Forsyth County.

Seven teenagers with alleged ties to the Rubia 18 street gang face hundreds of charges of felony breaking and entering of an automobile, larceny and malicious injury to property. Five were jailed in county detention facilities on $100,000 bond each and one on $35,000 bond.

Officials released little information on a 15-year-old suspect, whose identity is protected by state law because of his age.

Kernersville police Chief Neal Stockton, who described the spree as a "rampage," estimated that total damages throughout the county will top $100,000. Winston-Salem police and Forsyth sheriff's deputies are launching separate investigations into the suspects.

Guilford County investigators have also taken note, with one detective from the sheriff's office assigned to compare a rash of property damage cases in Oak Ridge to the methods used in Forsyth County.

"We did have not so much car break-ins, but damage to property involving windows being shot out last month," Capt. Tony Caliendo said. "This type of vandalism is common for juveniles. It could be a string from the same offenders, or it could be coincidence."

Greensboro police also will compare notes with Kernersville investigators, Lt. Jane Allen said.

Kernersville police at an apartment complex. One of Kernersville's six on-duty officers at the time spotted people breaking into a vehicle at the complex.

Officer John Stokes was able to apprehend one of the teens when everyone scattered. After recognizing the break-in techniques, he contacted his supervisors, leading to an all-day investigation for police.

With help from Winston-Salem police, officers visited the homes of the other suspects. In some instances, they recovered stolen property that included car stereo equipment.

"I'm tickled to death," Shirley Hage with Prudential Carolinas Realty said of the arrests. Her car windows were smashed last month.

There were at least 61 victims, authorities said.

In custody, the suspects admitted their roles in several crimes, Stockton said. Their weapons of choice were slingshots and ball bearings.

But at a news conference Monday, police also displayed a baseball bat with glass shards embedded in the barrel. The teens also stand accused of using BB gun pellets.

"In some cases, it was just for kicks," Stockton said. He noted that the teens told detectives they enjoyed the media publicity. "In other cases, a larceny did occur."

The seven suspects, all Hispanic, are believed to be permanent residents from Mexico, Stockton said. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office is assisting in the case.

Investigators said they believe the suspects attended local schools, though they had no immediate information on specific locations.

"Sometimes crimes like this go unpunished, and I'm just happy they were able to catch them," said Kimberly Moore, owner of Ceramics Unleashed, which had a BB shot at its window in January.

"I'm glad (the police) took it seriously."

Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com