Drug Bust Leads to Car Break-In Arrests

More than 40 vehicle break-ins have been solved, police said, following a drug bust that led to the discovery of a cache of stolen goods.

Clayton Police Department investigators and Johnston County deputies were staking out a residence on South John Street on Friday and apprehended a man leaving the house after determining he was carrying drug paraphernalia and a bag of suspected marijuana.

Investigators obtained a warrant to search the residence for drugs and spotted gold jewelry, PlayStation portable gaming systems, cell phones, MP3 players, CDs and prescription pill bottles inside.

Noah Chandler Crowder, 19, of 604 S. John St. in Clayton, was charged with 38 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, 17 counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count each of felony larceny, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rafael Maurice Chicco, 16, of 1958 Jack Road in Clayton, was charged with 37 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, 21 counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count each of felony larceny possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Tremayne Davis, 18, of 2835 Woodside Drive in Clayton, was charged with 36 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, 19 counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count of felony larceny.

Police said the teens targeted unlocked cars in subdivisions and apartment complexes in and near Clayton and grabbed loose items that were easy to steal. More arrests and charges were expected in the investigation, police said.