Winterville man charged with three Pitt County break-ins

A man suspected of breaking into a Bell Arthur convenience store and stealing more than $1,600 in cigarettes has been charged with that crime and similar ones in Greenville and Winterville, authorities said.

Pitt County Sheriff's Office deputies responded at 3:11 a.m. June 24 to a break in at the Duck Thru, 3921 Bell Arthur Road. A corresponding incident report said that a blunt object was used to break into the store through a glass door. It said 23 cartons of Newport, Kool and Salem cigarettes valued at $1,680 were stolen.

In the course of their investigation sheriff's office detectives learned several other stores in Winterville and Greenville had been broken into and similar items were stolen. A joint investigation was carried out by the sheriff's office with Greenville and Winterville police.

Greenville Police Department spokeswoman Kristen Hunter said that another break-in and theft of cigarettes occurred at Dollar General, 3920 Charles Blvd. A warrant said 20 cartons of cigarettes and six boxes of tobacco wraps valued at $1,478 were stolen.

Cameras were used to develop a suspect vehicle and link the Pitt County, Winterville and Greenville cases. Hunter said that Winterville police stopped the suspect vehicle on June 26 and identified Darrell Shea David, 60, of 2578 Graham St., Winterville, as the suspect.

Warrants also show that David also broke into Family Dollar, 631 Worthington Road, Winterville, where he stole cigarettes and cigars valued at $42, lighters valued at $500 and trash cans. He broke a glass door to gain entry.

David was found in possession of $1,200 that was stolen, warrants said. He also had a large concrete ring which Winterville police classified as burglary tools. The sheriff's office noted a sledge hammer and screw driver as burglary tools in their warrants for David's arrest.

David was charged by the sheriff's office with felony breaking and or entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of burglary tools. Winterville police charged him with those three crimes as well as possess/receive stolen property, felony larceny, injury to real property and misdemeanor larceny. Greenville police charged David with breaking and/or entering, larceny after break/enter and injury to real property.

David was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center. A magistrate issued him a $25,000 secured bond. He remained in custody on Tuesday.