Sergeant’s hunch about BMW leads to duo suspected in 100 burglaries, NC police say

Two men suspected of orchestrating more than 100 pharmacy burglaries were caught when a sharp-eyed North Carolina police sergeant became suspicious of a passing BMW at 4:15 a.m., according to investigators.

The arrest happened Thursday, June 18, in Monroe, after a pursuit that included police, deputies, dogs and drones.

“The Monroe Police Department received information to be on the lookout for a black BMW believed to have been involved in the breaking and entering of a pharmacy in Concord,” police said in a June 23 news release.

“Around 4:15 a.m., a ... sergeant observed a vehicle matching the description entering Monroe on Concord Highway. When the sergeant attempted an investigative stop, the driver refused to stop and fled. During the pursuit, officers successfully deployed tire deflation devices.”

Multiple people jumped from the halted BMW, and were seen tossing prescription medications as they ran, investigators say.

A search of the area led to the arrests of Rashaad Wilson, 25, and Tomas Wesley, 26, both of Bishopville, South Carolina, police said.

“Through the course of the investigation, officers learned the two arrested individuals are suspected of involvement in more than 100 pharmacy burglaries across multiple states,” police said. “The investigation remains active as detectives continue working with law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions.”

Wilson has been charged with fleeing to elude arrest, unsafe passing into oncoming traffic, breaking and/or entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy, and felony possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics, records show.

Wesley is charged in Cabarrus County with felony breaking and/or entering, felony larceny after breaking and/or entering, felony conspiracy, and felony possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics, a warrant reports.

Monroe is about a 28-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte.