4 arrested in 100 Union County car break-ins

Four people have been arrested in more than 100 Union County car break-ins where the suspects went into unlocked cars and stole items worth more than $60,000, authorities said Friday.

Since the beginning of August, the Union County Sheriff’s Office probed more than 100 car break-ins in Weddington, Indian Trail and Mineral Springs, according to a news release. In each case, the cars were unlocked.

With help from the public, police identified four suspects, all of whom are from Monroe: Devontae Erickson and Jonathan Crowder, both 18; Shaishatta Watkins, 19; and 21-year-old Deangelo Bell. The investigation remains open until all the stolen property can be recovered.

Erickson, Watkins and Bell have been charged with 107 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle and, on Friday, were each being held on $80,000 bail.

Crowder faces 70 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle and was being held on a $37,500 bail.

All four suspects will make an initial appearance in court on Oct. 6.

Jonathan McFadden

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 5:52 PM with the headline "4 arrested in 100 Union County car break-ins."