Two charged in string of Durham break-ins

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham police arrested two men Wednesday after a break-in at a home on Ward Street. Later, investigators connected the suspects -- Zaivier Julius Lee, 21, of Lexington Avenue and Nicholas Patrick Mastronardi, 18, of Francis Street -- with four other break-ins.

Lee is charged with breaking into the same house on Ward Street on Monday and Wednesday, and with break-ins Aug. 4 on Legion Avenue, Monday on Nation Avenue and Wednesday on Perkins Road. Mastronardi is charged in the Tuesday break-in and in the ones on Legion Avenue and Perkins Road.

Both men face charges of larceny, felony conspiracy and obtaining property by false pretense.

Police recovered stolen items including electronics, a telescope, a check and cameras.