Surveillance operation nets suspect in four-wheeler thefts

In response to an uptick in thefts of such vehicles, detectives set up an operation around a four-wheeler parked in the eastern part of the county, Winders said. Early Thursday, the vehicle was stolen, and detectives tracked it to 356 Burnette Road in Farmville.

A search of the property found a Yamaha four-wheeler valued at $2,700 and a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle valued at $7,000, Winders said. The motorcycle had been reported stolen from a home on Theo Drive in Goldsboro on Dec. 29, 2008.

Michael Laverne Suggs, 34 of 365 Burnett Road, was arrested on one count of felony larceny of a motor vehicle and two counts of possessing stolen property.

Suggs was being held in the Wayne County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Winders praised detectives for showing "initiative to set up the surveillance operation" and working long hours on it.

He also urged the public to report any suspicious activity in an effort to halt the thefts of motorcycles and four-wheelers.

"These thefts are occurring in the day time and nighttime. If something does not look right we would much rather investigate it while it is occurring, even if it proves to be innocent," Winders said. "I would also like to express my appreciation to some of our citizens that have contacted the sheriff’s office and volunteered to assist our investigations in any way that they can.”