Fayetteville Police on Friday arrested two men linked to more than 100 vehicle break-ins over the past four months, according to a department news release.
Bradley Sears, 18, and Daniel Ibanez, 18, both of 2750 Club Drive, Apt. 11 in Fayetteville were arrested in connection with two counts of breaking or entering and theft of property, both felonies.
Sears and Ibanez were being held Saturday at the Washington County Detention Center on bonds of $6,120 and $3,000, respectively.
Sears also faces one misdemeanor offense of theft by receiving, according to jail records.
Both men are scheduled for a first appearance hearing Feb. 17 in Washington County Circuit Court.
Police found Sears and Ibanez by tracking purchases from stolen debit cards, which led investigators to Whataburger at 1956 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Fayetteville, according to a preliminary arrest report. Police used surveillance footage to match a description of the suspects and their vehicle.
Working with Farmington Police, investigators discovered similar crimes had occurred in Farmington and investigated a suspect's address in Fayetteville, the report said.
After watching the residence overnight, police confronted Ibanez and Sears near dawn while they approached the apartment, the release said. Daniel turned over a backpack he was carrying and police found two loaded pistols, a loaded .357 revolver and prescription pill bottle inside, the report said.
Police asked the pair to the station where both men confessed to committing at least 100 incidents of breaking or entering in local subdivisions, the report said. The men gave consent to search their apartment and police recovered roughly $7,500 in stolen property, including electronics, a guitar, gift cards, clothing and more handguns.
Sgt. Craig Stout, Fayetteville Police spokesman, said on Saturday residents should remember to lock their doors and keep valuables out of sight.
The investigation continues and police are working to notify victims of their recovered property, the release said.
NW News on 02/14/2016