FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects face numerous felony charges related to a string of residential and motor vehicle break-ins in the area of Lakeside Drive, Dogwood Road, Sherwood Road and Sullivan Road.

The Statesville Police Department announced the arrests of Joushua Wayne Seagro, 24, and Christopher Lee Stephens, 21, in a news release Thursday morning.

The SPD began investigating in early February after receiving several reports of houses and vehicles being broken into and the theft of personal property, including lawn equipment were stolen.

During the investigation, investigators obtained video from residential security cameras showing the break-ins. While taking reports, SPD personnel also recovered some lawn equipment that was found hidden in shrubbery, according to the news release.

On Tuesday, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office received information about suspects and possible locations of some stolen lawn equipment, police said. Later in the day investigators identified Seagro and Stephens as suspects in the break-ins, according to the news release.

On Wednesday, an SPD investigator obtained arrest warrants charging Seagro and Stephens with numerous counts of burglary, breaking and entering, breaking and entering motor vehicle and larceny.

SPD investigators and N.C. Probation/Parole officers subsequently located Stephens in the parking lot of Master’s Economy Inn on Sullivan Road and took him into custody.

Investigators learned there was a room at the Master’s Economy Inn where some of the stolen property was located. When investigators knocked on the hotel room door, Seagro answered the door and was taken into custody, police said.

Investigators obtained consent to search the room from who the hotel room from the individual who rented it and recovered numerous items that were stolen during the crimes that were committed.

Seagro was charged with five counts of first-degree burglary, nine counts of larceny after breaking and entering, eight counts of breaking and entering, three counts of breaking and entering motor vehicle and one count of larceny. He was issued a $100,000 secured bond by a magistrate.

Stephens was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, three counts of breaking and entering, four counts of larceny after breaking and entering and one count of breaking and entering motor vehicle. HeSP was taken before a magistrate and received a $150,000 secured bond.

The SPD expressed its appreciation to to the ICSO, Probation/ Parole and the community for their help in this investigation.