Police: Patrol officer catches teens in middle of vehicle break-in

Published 11:42 am Wednesday, June 12, 2019

SALISBURY — A Salisbury police officer on routine patrol caught three teenagers breaking into a vehicle in the Marriott hotel parking lot, officials said.

Police charged Jameon Kentrell Sanders, 18, of the 300 block of Kesler Street, with misdemeanor resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer; felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle; and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Raeqwon Turner, 16, also was charged with misdemeanor resisting an officer and felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

Police said Officer T.J. Meadows was patrolling about 2 a.m. Tuesday at the Marriott, 125 Marriott Circle, when he spotted the three teens near a vehicle. The teens quickly moved away from the vehicle when they saw the marked patrol car.

One of the teens, identified as the 14-year-old cousin of Sanders, ran away, according to a police report. Turner then began pushing a wheelchair-bound Sanders faster to get away.

The officer called out for them to stop and caught up with Sanders and Turner in the parking lot of Blue Bay restaurant. The officer recognized both teens.

The 14-year-old eventually circled back and returned to the scene. All three were arrested.

Police officials said the three broke into a 2006 Chevrolet Blazer. The vehicle had been ransacked and items were strewn inside the car and the center console was open.

The owner of the vehicle, who was a hotel guest, said the car was not in that condition when he went to bed.

The 14-year-old was released in the custody of his grandmother.

Salisbury Police Lt. Greg Beam said the department has ramped up its patrol of local hotels, neighborhoods and other commercial structures for at least a year.

He said officers have always patrolled those areas, but because of a large number of vehicle break-ins at city hotels, the department made sure that officers check those areas.

Sanders and Turner remain in the Rowan County jail, each under a $10,000 secured bond.