Two Kinston residents charged following social media identification request

On June 10, 2026, the Kinston Police Department requested the public's assistance in identifying a subject involved in a larceny at Handy Mart. Following the release of the photo, officers received numerous tips from community members and responded to additional reports involving the same subject committing larcenies at two other businesses.

As a result of the investigation, officers identified 31-year-old Javion Murriel of Kinston as the subject depicted in the original photo. Officers also identified 47-year-old Valentina Coples of Kinston as an accomplice in the incidents.

Murriel was taken into custody and charged with the following:

Larceny (3 Counts)

Conspiracy (3 Counts)

Injury to Personal Property

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Warrant for Arrest (Probation Violation)

Coples was taken into custody and charged with the following:

Larceny (3 Counts)

Conspiracy (3 Counts)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Kinston Police Department would like to thank the community for sharing the original social media post and providing information that assisted officers in quickly identifying those involved. The partnership between law enforcement and the community continues to be a valuable tool in solving crimes and holding offenders accountable.

These investigations remain ongoing, and additional arrests are expected. No further information will be released at this time.