The Statesville Police Department (SPD) executed a search warrant at 440 Charles Street in Statesville on January 3rd. Information suggested that a vehicle involved in a series of breaking and entering incidents in Mooresville had been spotted at this residence. During the search, evidence was discovered linking the suspects to a series of breaking and entering cases of businesses in Statesville. Additionally, during interviews conducted with individuals at the residence, investigators identified one of the suspects involved in the robbery that occurred earlier that same morning at Food Lion located at 1650 E. Broad Street in Statesville.
Later the same day, SPD was informed that the suspect vehicle used in the robbery had been stopped by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department following a brief vehicle pursuit. Three suspects were apprehended, and it was discovered that the vehicle, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, had been reported stolen during a breaking and entering incident at Dunkin Donuts in Troutman in late December.
Investigators with the Statesville and Mooresville Police Departments traveled to Charlotte to interview the three individuals in custody. All three individuals were identified as juveniles, and during the interviews, they were positively linked to the robbery at Food Lion based on the clothing they were wearing at the time of the incident. Furthermore, one of the suspects confessed to being involved in ten breaking and entering cases at restaurants in Statesville and an additional ten similar incidents in Mooresville. This crime spree spanned from December 24, 2023, to January 3, 2024.
The Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted, and secure custody orders were obtained for all three juveniles. The juveniles were transported to the Alexander County Juvenile Detention Center, where they await judicial proceedings. Of the three juveniles, two were 16 years old, and one was 17 years old. Additionally, two of the juveniles were from Charlotte and one was from Statesville.
The Statesville Police Department would like to extend their gratitude to the Mooresville Police Department, Troutman Police Department, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their assistance in this investigation and for the ongoing partnership we share in maintaining the safety and security of our communities. Additional charges against the three juveniles may be pending in other jurisdictions.