FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two adults and three juveniles face charges in connection with a residential break-in and the theft of more than $200,000 in property following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren announced the arrests of James Steven Tyler Ginsburg, 21, of Lewisville and Cameron Michael Smith, 19, of Union Grove in a news release on Monday.

A 17-year-old female who lives in Statesville, a 16-year-old male who lives in Olin, and a 14-year-old male who lives in Winston-Salem also face charges.

The ICSO began investigating on Tuesday, July 20, when patrol deputies were notified of an abandoned vehicle in the middle of a field on Mullis Road, in the northern area of Iredell County, Campbell said.

When the deputies attempted to make contact with the owner’s to find out why the vehicle was in this location, the owner stated they were out of town on vacation and the vehicle should be at the residence, according to the news release.

A neighbor of the victim was notified and went to check the residence in Mooresville. The neighbor discovered the home had been broken into and was heavily damaged, Campbell said.

ICSO Property Crimes investigators, along with Crime Scene investigators, met with the homeowners at the residence to conduct an investigation and process the scene. An inventory of stolen property, including three vehicles, was obtained from the property owners. The vehicles were entered as stolen into several law enforcement data bases, and information on the stolen vehicles was sent to law enforcement agencies in the surrounding counties.

Within hours, ICSO Deputy Devin Ashley conducted a traffic stop on one of the stolen vehicles. The driver, who was 17 years old, was detained while the vehicle was seized for processing, Campbell said. The juvenile driver was identified and transported to the sheriff’s office to be released to a parent.

A short time later, Winston-Salem Police Department officers located the third stolen vehicle. While the officers were attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver and other occupants fled the scene, according to the news release.

After a perimeter was established, Winston-Salem officers identified the driver and recovered the vehicle.

As the investigation continued, ICSO deputies received information about the possible location of one of the suspects. They went to a location on West Memorial Highway and found Ginsburg hiding in the woods, Campbell said.

The next day investigators located several witnesses and seized other evidence. The investigation led them to the Hallmark Inn located at 2579 Davie Avenue in Statesville, where two of the suspects had been staying, according to the news release.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the Hallmark Inn and located almost all of the property that had been stolen from the residence in Mooresville, Campbell said.

Investigators identified Smith as a third suspect and took him into custody without incident at a location in Union Grove, according to the news release.

Ginsburg was arrested on July 21 and charged with two counts of Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle. He appeared before Magistrate Nethken, who issued a $40,000 secured bond. The next day he was charged with two counts of Felony Breaking and Entering, two counts of Felony Larceny after Break and Enter, Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle, Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Felony Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and two counts of Misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Ginsburg appeared before Magistrate Imes, who issued a $150,000 secured bond on these charges.

Smith was arrested on Tuesday, July 21, and charged with Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny after Break and Enter, and Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle. Smith received a $15,000 secured bond from Magistrate Tutterrow.

Through statements and additional evidence, investigators identified two additional juveniles involved in this incident. Juvenile Petitions will be submitted to Juvenile Services for felony and misdemeanor charges on all three juvenile suspects

This case is still under investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming.

The stolen property, including the vehicles, was returned to the victims, Campbell said.