Suspect Makes First Court Appearance In Brutal Home Invasion Case
SMITHFIELD — A 39-year-old Wendell man accused of violently assaulting an elderly couple during a home invasion on Wednesday made his first court appearance Friday.
Thomas Lee Wright is charged in connection with a Wednesday incident at a home in the 2000 block of Devil’s Racetrack Road near Four Oaks. Authorities say Wright unlawfully entered the residence of an 81-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife and assaulted both victims.
The couple sustained serious injuries, including broken bones, and were transported to the hospital for treatment. The male victim has since been released, while the female victim remains hospitalized at WakeMed.
Investigators allege that following the initial incident, Wright was involved in a second home invasion involving another elderly victim. No injuries were reported in that case. Wright is also accused of breaking into two vehicles, though authorities say he was unsuccessful in stealing either one.
During Friday’s court appearance, a judge increased Wright’s secured bond from $250,000 to no bond. He will remain in custody at the Johnston County Detention Center.
Wright is currently charged with two counts of breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, two counts of assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and two counts of attempted larceny.
Officials say additional or upgraded charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Court records indicate Wright was a delivery driver and had recently been living in his car in the area.
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Finally a Judge with some guts. Keep these crazy people off the streets so that they can’t hurt anyone else.
Thank you, Judge!
so a couple weeks ago, this guy was in Clayton at the corner of Glen Laurel and Powhatan road. He was trying to get people to stop and help him supposedly. No car around, plus if he really needed help there is a gas station very close by. As a female and also with my child in the car, I am not stopping ( he yelled at me at the stop and was like, can you help me? and started walking towards my car before I turned left)
He had a bad vibe. I can imagine he was going to most likely attack anyone who stopped and steal their car after reading this.