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AULANDER – Two men arrested for breaking into a home on Tuesday near Tri-County Airport may be linked to a rash of similar crimes recently in Bertie and Northampton counties.

Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes identified the men as Jalik Lassiter, age 21, of 109 Indian Trail, Woodland, and 19-year-old Amonzia Spivey of 425 Mt. Olive Road, Windsor.

Lassiter was charged with possession of firearm by a felon, injury to personal property, injury to real property, felony conspiracy to commit breaking and entering, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and felony safe cracking. He was placed in the Hertford County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.

Spivey was jailed under a $20,000 secured bond for felony conspiracy to commit breaking and entering, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, felony safe cracking, injury to personal property, and injury to real property.

Both men are scheduled to make their first appearances on Friday in Hertford County Criminal District Court.

Hayes said his deputies were dispatched Tuesday to a residence on NC 561 West in reference to a breaking and entering in progress.

“The homeowners stated as they drove up they saw a dark in color sedan parked in their driveway and as they got close to the vehicle it pulled off very fast,” Hayes said. “The homeowners then told deputies that when they approached the house they saw two Black males running out the back door of the residence into the woods behind their home.”

Hertford County Sheriff’s deputies, with assistance from the Ahoskie Police Department, located the two suspects in the woods after a short search. Lassiter was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber handgun at the time of his arrest.

“The deputies did an outstanding job with their timely response attention to detail and awareness,” Hayes said. “One suspect was armed with a handgun, making this situation even more dangerous. I’m thankful that no one was hurt.”

Hayes added that the two men may have some ties to breaking and/or entering crimes that have occurred recently in surrounding counties.

“There are ongoing investigations to solve those crimes and maybe this is the start or a lead that can help close some of

those cases,” Hayes said.