Sons charged, father sought in vandalism, theft from state vehicles

They have two men, ages 17 and 18, in custody and are looking for their father, law enforcement sources told WRAL News.

Dantwan Bridges, 17, faces a total of 46 charges involving breaking into 22 cars, stealing gas cards and a cell phone and lighting one car on fire.

Rodney Wilson, 18, faces 6 charges involving break-ins and thefts from three cars.

Bridges and Wilson were being held Thursday at the Wake County jail and face a first court appearance on Friday.

The men's father, Rodney Jermain Wilson, is also a suspect in the crimes, but police have been unable to find him.

The elder Wilson, 36, 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.

Family members said the two younger men had bright futures and may have been lured into a life of crime by their father.

Authorities agree. Investigators referred to Rodney Jermain Wilson as the ringleader.

Between Sept. 12 and Oct. 6, the Department of Public Safety says 65 vehicles were vandalized and 23 credit cards were stolen. Charges were made on those cards totaling more than $35,000.

A spokesman with the Department of Public Safety said credit cards were not kept in all the vehicles and were not taken in some cases, but the thefts prompted a change in policy. 

"DPS has taken steps to ensure that no cards remain in its fleet vehicles, and all the stolen cards have been canceled," department spokesman Keith Acree said.