MERRY HILL – Bertie County Sheriff John Holley has announced an arrest following a series of break-ins and home invasions in the Colerain and Merry Hill areas of the county.

Kirklin Williams, 26, of 203 Thompson Road, Colerain, was arrested Thursday Dec. 8 and charged with two counts of breaking-and-entering and two counts of larceny after breaking-and-entering.

“I really want to thank the citizens who assisted our officers with this investigation,” said Holley. “Our deputies and detectives put in some long hours in helping solve this case.”

Holley stated the Colerain and Merry Hill areas of Bertie County had fallen victim to several break-ins in November.   There were reports of items being taken out of yards, vehicle break-ins, and 14 residential break-ins.

“We feel there may be more individuals involved,” Holley added. “Some of the same suspects we have under investigation could be related to this and other cases we are working on.”

Holley said on Monday, Dec. 5, the Sheriff’s Office received a report about a break-in occurring on Black Rock Road near Merry Hill.

Holley said the caller gave a description of a strange vehicle in the area that may have been involved in the break-in, later identified as a white Nissan Sentra.

Through information given to the Sheriff, deputies made contact with the owner of the vehicle and discovered the identity of the driver as Williams.  The vehicle in question was later located in another part of the county on the Connarista Road in Kelford.

“We had been patrolling those areas and figured sooner or later something would turn up,” the Sheriff said.

Holley said he actually came close to encountering the suspect immediately following the Monday break-in as the Sheriff was patrolling a different location about one mile from the residence where the break-in occurred. Holley said he believes that is when the perpetrator may have eluded his surveillance.

Williams was placed under a $30,000 secured bond, which according to a Bertie County Magistrate the suspect has made bail.