Break-Ins At Same Smithfield Home Lead To Four Arrests

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Smithfield Police arrested four people in connection with two break-ins at the same vacant home on Blount Street. The residence is owned by an out-of-state couple.

On April 1 at 3:46 p.m., officers responded to the home and reportedly found evidence of forced entry and extensive vandalism, including ripped ceilings and insulation, and human waste throughout the property, according to arrest warrants.

Tara Reynolds, 50, homeless of Smithfield, and Joshua Shaun Holmes, 33, homeless of Four Oaks, were arrested April 2 and charged with felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor damage to property. Damage was estimated at $5,000. Holmes was also charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after officers reportedly found a small amount of the drug on him.

Later on April 2, at 3:32 p.m., police responded to the same home for another break-in and allegedly found two people at the scene. Jerome Pratt, 71, of N. Seventh Street, Smithfield, and Thurman Ruffin Jr., 58, homeless of Smithfield, were charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Police are also investigating a fire at the property reported around 1:14 a.m. April 2, which destroyed a storage shed. Authorities are working to determine the cause.