Wake County deputies believe they've connected a man from Durham to a string of break-ins that occurred in the northern parts of Wake County last week. This man was also charged by Orange County deputies on Tuesday with other car break-ins at neighborhoods just outside of Hillsborough last month.
Deputies in Wake, Chatham and Orange determined that 18-year-old Jostin Josue Ramirez-Duarte is connected across all the break-ins. He is currently in Chatham County Detention Center without bond for other crimes. He was served warrants from Orange and Wake counties this week.
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According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, two men, one being Ramirez-Duarte, traveled between neighborhoods on Red Hill Lane and Seven Springs Road near Hillsborough early in the morning of Friday, Nov. 21. They allegedly pulled on door handles and entered unlocked vehicles, stealing a firearm, tools, $600 in cash, purses, keys and garage door openers.
Deputies said they also stole a car which law enforcement in Durham recovered unoccupied after a crash that afternoon.
The two allegedly returned to the neighborhoods the next day in the early morning to commit additional crimes. The release from OCSO did not detail what these additional crimes were.
Although the other suspect in the Orange County break-ins is now 18-years-old, he was under the age of 18 at the time of the crime, so his identity is protected.
“We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to remove valuables from their vehicle every time they leave it unattended," said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood.
He continued, "I’ve heard some say they do not lock their doors because they do not want a thief to have a reason to break the windows. Personally, I believe making it easy for others to steal your belongings is just a different costly risk, one that is even greater for those who carry weapons in their vehicles.”
Then, between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6, Wake County deputies received 15 reports of vehicle and garage break-ins on various streets, including Brass Kettle Road, Melcombe Way and Moresham Way. Those reports stated that at least two guns, credit cards and other personal items were stolen.
The other suspect connected to the Wake County break-ins is 24-year-old Keshaun Byrd, who faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, first-degree burglary and larceny. He is held in Durham County under a $250,000 for similar charges out of Chatham County.
For the Wake County break-ins, Ramirez-Duarte faces 10 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle with theft, five counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, three counts of damage to personal property, two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of felony larceny.
He, and the unidentified 18-year-old, also face the following felony charges out of Orange County:
- 22 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle.
- Larceny of a motor vehicle.
- Larceny of a firearm.
- First-degree burglary to a residence.
- Attempted first-degree residential burglary.
- Three counts of breaking and entering sheds and other outbuildings.
Wake County deputies say this remains an active and ongoing investigation, and they are working to determine whether the individuals may be connected to other incidents.
