MURFREESBORO – Perhaps it’s not a good idea to publically display stolen property.

A Murfreesboro man is behind bars in the Hertford County Jail after being arrested and charged with breaking and entering and larceny, and possession of stolen property, both felonies.

Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe said 18-year-old Deonta T. Gilliam of Lewistown Road was arrested Friday afternoon after he was seen wearing an item of clothing allegedly stolen from a residence on Spring Lake Road.

“The victims in this case were in the process of moving into a home. When they returned to that location on Friday morning they found the home had been broken into by way of a back window and items of clothing were stolen,” Rowe said.

Later that afternoon, Rowe said one of the victims noticed a young man (later identified as Gilliam) walking along a street adjacent to where the break-in had occurred, and that individual was wearing a hat reported as stolen.

The Murfreesboro Police were summoned and Lt. Joe Burgess and Auxiliary Officer Jimmy Barmer placed Gilliam under arrest.

Gilliam was jailed under a $15,000 secured bond.

“This is what happens when citizens and police work together to solve crime,” Rowe stated. “We’re able to do our jobs better when we receive interaction from the citizens we serve and I thank them for that.”