WHITEVILLE, NC — A string of vehicle break-ins in North Whiteville ended with the recovery of a stolen car, stolen property, and the arrest of two suspects in neighboring Bladen County on Thursday, according to the Whiteville Police Department.
Justin Stroud, 21, and Casey Wilder, 19, were taken into custody following a joint investigation involving the Whiteville Police Department, the Elizabethtown Police Department, and the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.
Surveillance and FLOCK Technology Track Stolen Vehicle
Officers with the Whiteville Police Department initially responded to the North Whiteville area on Thursday morning, Aug. 13, following multiple reports of vehicle break-ins, including one report of a stolen automobile.
During the preliminary investigation, patrol officers collected security camera footage provided by several area residents. Detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigations/Narcotics Division processed the surveillance footage while utilizing FLOCK license plate reader camera networks to track the stolen vehicle’s movement.
The combined technology and community leads led investigators to a residential property in Elizabethtown, where law enforcement officers located the stolen vehicle, recovered a firearm, and retrieved several other reported stolen items.
Suspects Face Dozens of Felony Charges
Both suspects face an identical list of charges stemming from the vehicle break-in spree:
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Justin Stroud, 21
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Charges: Four counts of Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, three counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, four counts of Attempted Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Felony Larceny of a Firearm.
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Bond: $135,000 Secured Bond.
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Casey Wilder, 19
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Charges: Four counts of Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, three counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, four counts of Attempted Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Felony Larceny of a Firearm.
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Bond: Held under No Bond.
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Law Enforcement Credits Community Cooperation
Whiteville Police Chief Paul D. Rockenbach issued a statement expressing appreciation for the swift assistance provided by regional law enforcement partners and local neighborhood residents.
“The Whiteville Police Department would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Elizabethtown Police Department and the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating the stolen vehicle and apprehending the suspects,” Chief Rockenbach stated. “We would also like to give a special thank you to the citizens of Whiteville who provided surveillance footage and valuable information to investigators. Your willingness to assist law enforcement played an important role in helping us identify the suspects and recover stolen property.”
Police noted that the investigation remains active and additional charges are expected to be filed.
Disclaimer: All criminal charges listed are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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