WINDSOR – Four men from Wilson County and one Wayne County resident are behind bars here following their arrests for breaking and entering and theft from a Windsor business early Sunday morning.

Windsor Police Chief Todd Lane reported that Anthony Tyrone Batts, Keymoni Diquez Rasberry, Demetric Jamarus Ward, and Aaron Anderson, all of Wilson, and Marcus Keont A Lashley of Goldsboro were each charged with two counts of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and injury to personal property.

Batts was also charged with one count of driving while license revoked, and Anderson was charged with one count of resisting a public officer.

All the defendants (with bonds of $200,000 for Anderson; $175,000 for Batts; and $150,000 each for Rasberry, Ward, and Lashley) were placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail awaiting their first court appearance on Nov. 4.

Lane said that at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, Bertie County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Johnson was at the Windsor Square Shopping Center in Windsor when he observed the front doors to the Internet Cafe and the Subway Restaurant broken out. At the same time, Bertie Emergency Communications received an alarm call  in reference to a break-in at the businesses.

Lane said that Johnson immediately notified Officer Jason Thomas of the Windsor Police Department of the situation.

While en-route to the scene of the break-ins, Thomas observed a vehicle driving erratically on King Street coming from the direction of Windsor Square Shopping Center. Lane said that Thomas observed the vehicle make several sudden turns in an apparent attempt to avoid detection. The vehicle then turned off its headlights in another effort to avoid detection.

“Officer Thomas was able to overtake the vehicle and initiate a traffic stop on King Street near Camden Street,” Lane said.  “Officer Thomas and Deputy Johnson began removing the occupants of the vehicle, and during the process of clearing the vehicle, one of the backseat passengers ran from the scene.”

Lane added that after the two officers had secured the other four men at the scene, a call was placed to request the assistance of K-9 Officer Clifton Whitby of the Ahoskie Police Department to come and assist with the search of the subject who fled on foot.

“Upon Officer Whitby’s arrival a search was initiated,” Lane stated. “After tracking a scent for approximately a half mile, Officer Whitby’s K-9, Rico, located the subject (Anderson) hiding in a swamp off of York Street.”

Lane added that a search of the suspect vehicle resulted in the recovery of the cash register from the Subway Restaurant, which prompted the arrest of the five men.

“This is a great example of law enforcement agencies working together to accomplish a common goal,” stated Chief Lane. “I would like to thank both Deputy Johnson, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, and Officer Whitby, Ahoskie Police Department, for their work in this case. Officer Thomas’ alertness along with the diligent work of these officers resulted in quality arrests of suspects who might not have otherwise been apprehended.”

Lane added that other police departments in eastern North Carolina who have experienced similar crimes can contact Windsor Police Sgt. Detective Justin Jackson who is handling the continuing investigation. Jackson can be reached at 252-794-3121.