K-9 finds Cuckoo's Nest break-in suspect under bed

Deputy Joe Sealey and Detective Jonathan Merrit responded to a break-in at the Cuckoo's Nest, a bird house and crafts store on U.S. Highway 1458 in Roanoke Rapids. They called in Department of Correction K-9 Officers Wayne King and Bobby Drewette to track any suspects.

K-9 "Jill" led the officers to a house, where they found Darian Sintell Peebles, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, hiding under a bed, Merritt said.

Investigation led to Peebles being named as a suspect in three break-ins at Community Texaco, two break-ins each at Stateline Builders and Cuckoo's Nest, and one break-in at the Old Halifax County Airport on U.S.158. Peebles was also linked to attempted break-ins at Stateline Builders and Information Grocery.

"If it were not for the job of the K-9 officers, Peebles might still be in our community terrorizing our local businesses," Merritt said.

Peebles was charged with eight counts of injury to real property, seven counts of possession of stolen goods, six counts each of breaking-and-entering and larceny after breaking-and-entering, and two counts of attempted breaking-and-entering. He was being held in the Halifax County Detention Center Friday under a $60,000.00 secured bond.

Lieutenant Neil Aycok and Deputies Glen Teal, Sealey, Griffin and Clark also helped in the investigation.

“The work that these deputies and my fellow investigators put in to these investigations made his job easier," Merritt said.

According to state Department of Correction records, Peebles has been convicted of larceny three times in Halifax County since 2005. His criminal record dates to 1998 and includes a conviction for selling drugs.