Multiple Teenagers Charged Following Break-Ins of Motor Vehicles in La Grange
On November 8, 2026, at approximately 2:30 a.m., A-Shift Patrol deputies and members of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reduction Team (CRT) responded to the area of West King Street in La Grange after citizens reported two individuals breaking into motor vehicles.
When deputies attempted to make contact, both individuals fled on foot, resulting in a brief foot pursuit. An A-Shift K-9 was deployed and tracked the individuals to a residence in the 100 block of Fairview Road in La Grange.
Deputies located both individuals after initially encountering an attempt by a juvenile resident to conceal their whereabouts inside the residence. Multiple individuals were detained as the investigation continued.
Detectives with the General Investigations Division responded to assist. During a canvass of the area, deputies and detectives recovered multiple items believed to have been stolen from vehicles.
Arrests and Charges
As a result of the investigation, Joseph Haynes, 18, of Lenoir County, was arrested and charged with:
Two counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Burglary Tools
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods/Property
Misdemeanor Conspiracy
Attempted Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle
Two counts of Second-Degree Trespassing (Curtilage)
Haynes received a $20,000 secured bond.
A 15-year-old juvenile and a 14-year-old juvenile were also taken into custody.
The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with:
Two counts of Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle
Misdemeanor Larceny
Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods/Property
Possession of Burglary Tools
Misdemeanor Conspiracy
Misdemeanor Attempted Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle
Misdemeanor Second-Degree Trespassing
The 14-year-old juvenile was charged with:
Misdemeanor Accessory After the Fact
Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods/Property
Both juveniles were transported to the Pitt Juvenile Detention Center.
Additional Charges Expected
During this investigation, detectives determined that one of the juveniles taken into custody had recently been charged in a separate Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office investigation involving 16 felony counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and eight misdemeanor counts of Larceny. The juvenile was served with those charges and placed on electronic monitoring.
Investigators believe the criminal activity had escalated from entering unlocked vehicles to breaking vehicle windows to gain access to property inside. This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are expected.
A Message to Parents and Our Community
This incident is another reminder of the importance of knowing where your children are, who they are spending time with, and what they are doing, especially during the late-night and early-morning hours.
This incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. Parents need to understand that their children can be out committing serious criminal offenses while they have no knowledge of their whereabouts or activities. At some point, parents must take responsibility for knowing where their children are and holding them accountable for their actions.
We also want to remind everyone to lock your vehicles, remove valuables, and report suspicious activity immediately. Never assume that someone walking through a neighborhood or checking vehicle door handles is simply passing through.
We want to thank the citizens who witnessed this activity and promptly contacted law enforcement. Their willingness to report suspicious behavior, combined with the quick response and teamwork of our A-Shift deputies, CRT deputies, K-9 team, and General Investigations Division, helped bring this investigation to where it stands today.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office will continue to hold those responsible for criminal activity accountable, regardless of their age. We will also continue working with our community to keep our neighborhoods safe.
If you see something suspicious, say something. Your call could prevent someone from becoming the next victim.
