Father, sons charged in vandalism, theft from state vehicles

Rodney Jermaine Wilson Sr.'s arrest comes six days after his two sons were charged in the case.

Between Sept. 12 and Oct. 6, the Department of Public Safety says, 65 state vehicles were vandalized, primarily at seven DPS parking lots in Raleigh and Wake County. Total damage was estimated at $20,000.

During the vandalism, 23 state gas cards were stolen, authorities said, and almost $16,000 was charged to the cards.

"All the damage to the vehicles. They all have to be replaced. It was a tremendous loss both in terms of dollars and also in state property," said Greg Baker, commissioner of the state Division of Law Enforcement. "This was an assault, this was an attack against the taxpayer."

Wilson, 36, of 325 Railroad St., was charged with 48 felonies, including breaking and entering of a vehicle, financial card theft and misuse and burning of personal property. He was being held in the Wake County jail under a $551,000 bond.

Rodney Jermaine Wilson Jr. 18, and Dantwan Kayshawn Bridges, 17, were arrested and charged last week with 97 felonies combined.

The elder Wilson has a history of similar crimes that date back for a decade and has spent time in jail, most recently in 2012, for breaking and entering vehicles and larceny.