Smithfield Man Rearrested, Linked To More Vehicle Break-Ins

SMITHFIELD – A man arrested late last month after allegedly being found inside a stranger’s vehicle has been rearrested and is now linked by police to several additional incidents.

Smithfield Police said Nicholas Acrawfetus McNeil, 58, of Blount Street, was taken into custody again following a series of incidents early Saturday, Aug. 15.

Around 1 a.m., a resident on East Davis Street was awakened by an alert from a home security camera showing an unknown man who had reportedly climbed a fence and entered the backyard.

The homeowner activated a vehicle alarm, causing the man to flee on foot. Police later identified the individual as McNeil.

That same morning, McNeil is accused of breaking into a parked vehicle in the 900 block of South First Street and stealing debit and credit cards, identification cards, a wallet and approximately $80 in cash. A bicycle was also reported stolen from the address.

Police have also linked McNeil to an attempted vehicle break-in that morning in the 1000 block of South First Street. Authorities said he was unsuccessful in gaining entry.

McNeil faces charges including breaking and entering a motor vehicle with theft, financial card theft, two counts of larceny, attempted breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and trespassing.

The new charges come less than three weeks after McNeil was arrested in another alleged vehicle break-in.

Around 2 a.m. July 30, a Birch Street resident stepped outside and reportedly found a stranger sitting inside his vehicle. The homeowner called 911, and the man fled before officers arrived.

Smithfield Police located McNeil a short distance away and charged him with felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle. Nothing was reported stolen in that incident.

At the time of the July arrest, detectives said they were investigating whether McNeil could be connected to other unsolved vehicle break-ins in the Smithfield area.