Two teenagers face charges connected with vehicle break-ins across the Triangle

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two teenagers accused of being part of a multicounty vehicle break-in spree appeared in front of a Wake County judge on Friday.

Lester Mayo, 18, has been charged in connection with a rash of vehicle break-ins across Durham County, Wake County, and several Triangle cities, including Durham, Raleigh, Cary and Morrisville.

According to the Raleigh Police Department, Mayo was served with 38 warrants totaling 110 felony charges and 52 misdemeanor charges. He was arrested on Thursday.

He received no bond as a result of a weapons charge and a $250,000 secured bond on other charges in Wake County. Separately, he received a $250,000 secured bond for charges out of Durham County.

A Durham Police Department spokesperson told ABC11 that Mayo was wanted in connection with several criminal offenses in the Bull City at the time of his arrest.

Corey Wright, also 18, was arrested by Cary Police and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, resisting a public officer and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Wright received a $10,000 secured bond and is due back in court later this month.

Raleigh Police responded to a report of larceny from motor vehicles in the 1900 block of South Saunders Street on April 28, where a person recorded a suspect breaking into vehicles while brandishing a handgun, authorities said. Based on that incident, they were able to connect this to vehicle break-ins in Cary, Morrisville, Garner, Apex, Chapel Hill, and other locations to a group of suspects operating from the Durham area.

ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Durham, Raleigh and in your neighborhood

Authorities said the suspects largely targeted high-density parking lots and construction sites, looking for firearms. In total, more than a dozen firearms were reported stolen during the incidents.

The Durham County Sheriff's office said Mayo had been booked into the Durham County Detention Center twice in April on similar charges and was released both times after meeting court-set conditions. Investigators later connected him to additional crimes during the next three weeks.

At the time of his arrest, Mayo was with several other people, including juveniles, and additional arrests and juvenile petitions are expected as the investigation continues.

The Durham County Sheriff's Office said it has seen a marked increase in vehicle break-ins since the beginning of 2026, particularly in and around Research Triangle Park, and believes many of the crimes are connected to a single group.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

"Criminals do not stop at county lines, and neither does our commitment to public safety," Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said. "This arrest is a direct result of the seamless collaboration between the Durham County Sheriff's Office and our law enforcement partners in Cary, Raleigh, and Wake County. By sharing intelligence and resources, we are sending a clear message that those who target our communities will be held accountable, no matter where they attempt to hide."

Birkhead urged residents to take steps to prevent vehicle break-ins, including removing valuables from sight, locking doors and windows, using trunks to secure items, parking in well-lit areas, and not leaving spare keys in vehicles.