Man, woman arrested in string of vehicle break-ins

Investigators said that Timothy Wydal Alston, 19, of 246 White Oak Road, and Lacie Jae Hardy, 19, of 146 Quail Croft Drive, committed the break-ins in the Saulston community, outside of Goldsboro, over the past week.

"Hopefully, this will help the citizens in these communities feel a little more secure," Wayne County Sheriff A. Winders said in a statement.

Alston and Hardy stole electronic equipment from automobiles and two motorcycles, investigators said. Detectives recovered a large amount of the stolen property during the investigation.

Alston and Hardy both face eight counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, seven counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count each of first-degree burglary, larceny after breaking-and-entering and felony possession of stolen property.

They were being held in the Wayne County Detention Center under separate, secured bonds of $100,000 each.

Lt. Shawn Harris and Detective Larry Mitchell led the investigation and were assisted by the sheriff's office patrol shift C and other detectives.

"I would like to express my appreciation to the people that have given my officers helpful information during this investigation," Winders said. "I would also like to express my appreciation to the all the officers for their dedication, diligence and long hours they have put in."

Alston was released from prison in February after serving 11 months for involuntary manslaughter, according to state Department of Correction records.