Neighbor thwarts break-in suspects' getaway in Durham
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Durham police are praising an alert neighbor who they said thwarted the getaway of four suspects in a home break-in.
The break-in happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Magnolia Tree Lane in the Rustica Oaks neighborhood.
Durham police arrested Montre Cates, 16; Taijay Surles, 16; Davon Deleon, 18; and Lakuan Deleon, 21; all of Durham. They're facing several charges including felony breaking or entering, felony larceny after break/enter, and injury to real property. All but Lakuan Deleon were charged with resisting a public officer.
According to arrest warrants, the suspects kicked in the front door of a home on Magnolia Tree Lane and stole a silver wedding band.
Cates faces additional charges of possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of stolen goods or property. According to an arrest warrant, Durham police said they found him with a van that was stolen during another home break-in on Russell Road in Durham on Dec. 5.
In a post to the Nextdoor App Thursday morning, a Durham police officer thanked a resident of Rustica Oaks who called in a tip when she saw suspicious activity on Magnolia Tree Lane.
Listen: Tipster calls 911 about break-in suspects
Police said that call helped them arrest the four suspects, three of which were caught after allegedly running into some nearby woods.
"We're grateful for the neighbors looking out for everybody," said Michael Perra who lives next door to the person who called police.
Perra said he'll begin keeping an eye out for his neighbors as well.
"Puts a guard up to realize when people are in your neighborhood, watch out," he said. "If they're not normally here, you know, something wrong is going on."
