Local police departments across the state are working together to take down a theft ring.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Davie County Sheriff's Office, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and the Winston-Salem Police Department are investigating a string of break-ins in their jurisdictions.
More than 96 breaking and entering cases occurred in the aforementioned areas over the span of six months, according to Sheriff Richie Simmons of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. He said during a press conference, over 300 charges were filed in relation to the cases.
Simmons said the burglaries involved jewelry, cash, guns and collectible coins. Some of the cases were home invasions.
But on Aug. 1, detectives found a car matching the description of a vehicle used during an attempted robbery. Police pulled the car over and identified the suspects.
Officers said some of the suspects are gang members or gang-affiliated. Each of the suspects in custody are from Winston-Salem. Simmons believes that when they noticed one county's law enforcement was investigating them, they moved on to another county.
So far, police have arrested:
- Tarvarus Quintez Rhynes - 26
- Jowaun Monte Sansbury - 30
- Michael Lamont Horne Jr. - 26
- Harvey Ian Williams - 56
- Shanara Michelle Allen - 30
The investigation is still ongoing.
"With Davie County, Surry County, Stokes County, Madison, [Rockingham County] Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth, all of those counties and Police Departments networking together, [this] is a primary reason that several people are in custody for these break-ins," Simmons said.
The sheriff gave a word of advice to the public as police work to arrest more suspects involved in the theft ring.
"If someone knocks at your door, let them know that you’re there. You don’t have to open the door and let them in, but acknowledge that you know that they’re there and tell them that you’ve called the police," he said. "Let them know they’re not welcome and to leave the property because the second time they’re gonna knock. The [next] you’re gonna hear a foot coming through your door."