One person is in custody and the search is underway for three others following a rash of car break-ins, an armed robbery, and a shooting in Johnston County early-Thursday morning.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is still sorting out the details of the incident that began around 1:45am on Samantha Drive in the South Hills subdivision off Cornwallis Road. A 57 year-man said he looked out of his home and saw two people attempting to break into a marked Wake County sheriff’s deputies patrol car parking in the driveway of his neighbors home. The Good Samaritan then walked outside of his home and began shouting at the suspects.
One of the suspects pulled out a gun and then robbed the victim, taking his wallet, cash, and other belongings.
A total of 4 suspects then fled from the subdivision in a passenger car while the Good Samaritan followed in his personal vehicle. As the vehicle drove along the highway, the suspects began tossing items out the window. When the vehicles reached Shiloh Road, the suspects fired shots at the victim striking his vehicle at least one.
The victim then returned to his home and alerted the off-duty Wake County deputy about the attempted break-in into his patrol car, according to Tammy Amaon, Public Information Officer, with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. A total of 5 car break-ins were discovered in the neighborhood.
Johnston County deputies responding to the scene located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Only one person was inside the car. Tyquan Jaleel Barton, 18, of Costmary Lane, Knightdale was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a firearm, three counts of larceny, five counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, discharging a weapon into a moving vehicle and felony conspiracy.
Detectives are searching for the remaining 3 suspects. Officers also ask residents in the South Hills Subdivision to check their vehicles to make sure no property is missing. Authorities suspect there may be other unreported vehicle break-ins in the community.
We’re glad to report the Good Samaritan who stopped the break-in at the deputy’s home and followed the suspects was not injured. Officers did locate his wallet beside the roadway, which was one of the items the suspects tossed out of the car while fleeing from the area.
