NORTH CAROLINA — Two men from Durham are facing numerous charges in connection with a series of car break-ins that occurred in neighborhoods just outside of Hillsborough, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the incidents took place early Friday morning, Nov. 21, when the suspects traveled between neighborhoods along Red Hill Lane and Seven Springs Road. Investigators allege the men pulled on door handles and entered unlocked vehicles, stealing a firearm, tools, approximately $600 in cash, purses, keys and garage door openers.
Authorities said the suspects also stole a vehicle during the crime spree. That vehicle was later recovered unoccupied by law enforcement in Durham after it was involved in a crash later that afternoon.
According to the sheriff’s office, the two men returned to the same neighborhoods early the following morning and committed additional crimes. The release did not provide specific details about those additional incidents.
One suspect is now 18 years old but was under the age of 18 at the time of the crimes, and his identity has not been released.
The second suspect was identified as 18-year-old Jostin Josue Ramirez-Duarte, who is currently being held at the Chatham County Detention Center on unrelated charges. Orange County deputies said they plan to serve him with warrants related to the break-ins.
Both men are charged with 22 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm, first-degree burglary of a residence, attempted first-degree residential burglary, and three counts of breaking and entering sheds and other outbuildings. They are also charged with one misdemeanor count each of attempted breaking and entering a vehicle and larceny.
In a statement, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood urged residents to take precautions to prevent theft. “We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to remove valuables from their vehicle every time they leave it unattended,” Blackwood said.
He added, “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.”
