Suspects under investigation in Cary pizza parlor break-ins

Michael John Spero, 28, of 1300 Maroubra Loop in Cary, and Rachael Megan Larocca, 28, of 4024 Fern Meadow Drive in Cary, were arrested around 1 a.m. Monday after a break-in at Teddy's Pizza & Pasta at 5563 Western Blvd.

Police say they believe the pair might be responsible for six similar cases since Oct. 20 in Cary in which someone broke into pizza restaurants and took money that had been hidden.

The robber in those cases, investigators say, entered the back doors of the businesses, appeared to know where to go to get cash and was then out in a matter of seconds.

Teddy's owner Sam Kahder said Monday that it appeared that no money was taken from his business but that it appeared that whoever robbed it pried the door open and knew where to go once inside.

Roma's Italian Restaurant, at 203 N. Harrison Ave., was the victim of a similar crime on Oct. 22.

"They could have made quite a mess, but they didn't," owner Lisa Hrehor said. "They were pretty specific in where they were looking and what they were hoping to find."

Another break-in happened Oct. 30 at New York Pizza, at 6458 Tryon Road, where the owner, Anthony Masino, said Spero worked for about a year or two as an assistant manager before going to work at Brooklyn Boys on Northwest Maynard Road.

An employee at Brooklyn Boys said Monday that Spero used to work at the restaurant but it wasn't clear when or for how long.

Brooklyn Boys had money stolen Oct. 22 and is listed on an arrest report as Larocca's employer.

She faces charges of conspiracy breaking and entering and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Spero was jailed under a $50,000 bond on two counts of felony breaking and entering and one count each of attempted breaking and entering, larceny and possession of burglary tools.

According to North Carolina Department of Public Safety records, Spero was serving at the time of his arrest 24 months of probation stemming from convictions in September on misdemeanor larceny and assault charges.

Larocca, who has a pending larceny charge in Lee County, was convicted in March on a misdemeanor larceny charge and received a 12-month suspended jail sentence and probation.