AHOSKIE – A rash of recent crimes involving the theft of several items, to include go-karts and dirt bikes, have been solved by the Ahoskie Police Department.

Three individuals have been arrested, in addition to a juvenile being detained.

APD Chief Troy Fitzhugh reported the first arrest came nine days after an Ahoskie resident reported a break-in and larceny of items from their residence in the 500 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

“That victim said they noticed the break-in and missing items after returning from the fireworks show here in Ahoskie on July 4,” Fitzhugh said.

The Chief added that APD Officer Bruce Farmer took the initial report. The investigation was turned over to APD Detective Justin Farmer. His investigation led to the arrest of 21-year-old Cedric Adam Lewter on the charges of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and misdemeanor possession of stolen property. Lewter was jailed under a $6,000 secured bond.

The second case was solved after the APD received tips regarding break-ins and larcenies on July 14 – one reported at 5 a.m. on Circle Drive and the other a few hours later (8:23 a.m.) on Camlin Street.

Fitzhugh said the crime on Circle Drive involved the theft of a go-kart.

“A go-kart was found in the middle of the street and my officers, Rose Mizelle and John Ashley, were able to locate the owner who told them it was earlier chained up next to his house,” Fitzhugh said. “He noted there was a second go-kart, that was also chained up, missing.”

On Camlin Street, Detective Farmer took a report from a homeowner that two dirt bikes had been stolen from the yard of that residence. One was stolen two weeks prior and the second one on the morning of July 14.

“After the first one was stolen, which was not secured, the owner had chained the second one, but that chain was found cut,” Fitzhugh noted.

Mizelle, Ashley and Detective Farmer worked both cases. Fitzhugh said the officers received some information from the public that helped solve the July 14 crimes.

“Acting on that tip, they were able to gather evidence that led to the arrests of individuals involved in both cases,” Fitzhugh said.

Charged in those July 14 crimes were 21-year-old Anton Montes Vernon of Aulander, and 19-year-old Jamal James Sloan of Ahoskie.

Vernon was arrested July 19 and charged with three felonies – larceny, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit larceny. He was jailed under a $10,000 secured bond.

Sloan was arrested July 22 and jailed under a $5,000 secured bond on the charge of felony possession of stolen property.

The third individual involved in both crimes was a juvenile male. Fitzhugh said a juvenile petition was obtained for that individual.

The Chief added that the stolen property in the July 14 crimes had been recovered and returned to the owners.

“I commend the efforts of those officers working these cases and to the information made available by the public in helping us to solve these crimes,” Fitzhugh stated.