Third person charged in connection with state car vandalism, gas card thefts
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A third person was arrested Tuesday by State Capitol police in connection with the vandalism of 65 state cars and the theft of 23 gas credit cards stolen in September and October.
Police have been looking for Rodney Jermaine Wilson Sr., 36, since last Friday following the arrest of two of his sons who were also charged in connection with the felonies.
Wilson turned himself in to State Capitol Police at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He is charged with 48 separate felonies for breaking and entering vehicles, financial card thefts, and misuse and burning of personal property.
Wilson's sons, Rodney Jermaine Wilson Jr. 18, and Dantwan Kayshawn Bridges, 17, were arrested and charged last week with 97 felonies, including breaking and entering vehicles, financial card thefts and burning of personal property.
Car windows were smashed and gas credit cards taken from glove boxes or center consoles of the state cars either overnight or on weekends over the course of several weeks.
Most of the vandalism and thefts occurred at seven Department of Public Safety locations in Wake County. The gas credit cards were used at more than a dozen locations across the center part of the state, from Dunn to Burlington.
The total loss from damaged state cars and illegal use of the gas cards was almost $36,000.
Wilson Sr. is being held at the Wake County Detention Center under a $551,000 secured bond.
State Capitol Police Chief Glen B. Allen said he anticipates additional charges and arrests.
"While this complex investigation continues to unfold, I want to recognize the joint effort and hard work among officers and agents who worked on this case," Chief Allen said. "With their help, State Capitol Police was able to make arrests on the three we believe are responsible for this spree of property crimes."
Sgt. Ronald McCoy with the Capitol Police Department told ABC11 that the state has now changed the policy for storing gas cards inside state-owned vehicles.
