A Hickory man is charged in at least 17 car break-ins and the thefts of multiple firearms in Alexander County. He could face charges in Catawba, Burke and Caldwell counties as well.
Kayne Lavance Alford-Bruce, 21, is charged with 17 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, three counts of attempted breaking and entering a motor vehicle, three counts of larceny of a firearm, seven counts of larceny and one count of larceny of a motor vehicle, Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell said in a news release.
The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating numerous reported vehicle break-ins in the Bethlehem area since May. Pennell said the sheriff’s office believes a group of individuals is responsible for the break-ins.
On Thursday night, a concerned citizen reported a suspicious individual on their property looking into vehicles on Bowman Court in Bethlehem, Pennell said.
Deputies responded and located a man identified as Alford-Bruce in the Wittenburg Springs development. Alford-Bruce was arrested there, Pennell said.
Pennell said additional charges are anticipated in the case.
Pennell said other law enforcement authorities believe the group is connected to vehicle break-ins across multiple jurisdictions, including Caldwell County, Burke County, Catawba County, Hickory and Long View.
Alford-Bruce
Alford-Bruce is being held under $350,000 secured bond in the Alexander County Detention Center. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Alexander County District Court.
Anyone with information related to these crimes is asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911.
Alford-Bruce is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sarah Johnson is a digital news reporter for the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ News Herald.
