A Bertie County man with a lengthy record for credit card theft and motor vehicle break-ins has been charged with a series of tractor-trailer break-ins occurring at the North Carolina Welcome Center over the last six months.
The break-ins and accompanying larcenies, according to Captain M.D. Deloatch Sr. of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office, involved about 13 rigs, most broken into as the drivers slept in their sleepers.
A sting operation ended up capturing Erwin W. Askew, 51, of Powellsville, who was arrested Tuesday, the second day of the operation.
He was arrested by Lieutenant A. Thomas that morning as he was trying to break-in to a rig, Deloatch said.
Deloatch said Askew was targeting wallets and using the credit and debit cards to buy items.
Askew was released from prison in December of 2013, state Department of Public Safety records show.
He was initially charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and two counts of larceny. Today he was charged with 12 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle and 12 counts of larceny.
Deloatch said Askew is considered a suspect in similar break-ins at the Virginia Welcome Center, where he is expected to face 40 charges.
He has an $11,000 secured bond and February 19 court date.