Chief Andy Jackson said the three — Steven Gregory Odom, Michael Wayne Finch and Jennifer Dawn Madison — remain under investigation for other vehicle break-ins in the city.

“We do believe they are responsible for a majority of the residential car break-ins. We believe there are other groups doing the same thing.”

Finch, 26, and Odom, 21, both of Roanoke Rapids, face 20 counts of breaking and entering motor vehicles, 20 counts of larceny, 20 counts of possession of stolen goods and three counts of larceny of firearms.

Madison, 29, faces a count of conspiracy involving multiple victims for reportedly driving Odom and Finch around, dropping them off and waiting for them as they allegedly rifled through mainly unlocked vehicles in Roanoke Rapids.

They remained jailed after their arrests late Monday afternoon on $60,000 bonds. They have December 10 court dates,

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office assisted in the case, Jackson said, helping city police on the execution of a search warrant out in the county. “The whole detective division, including narcotics Sergeant Jamie Hardy, worked hard on this case,” Jackson said.

Jackson declined to discuss motive in the case. “We do have evidence to tie them to this but that's for the court to decide.”

Jackson said a plea from the police department for residents to keep their porch lights on during the scourge of break-ins has helped and as the holiday season approaches, he encourages residents to continue the practice. “It's really helped that people are lighting up the neighborhood.”

The advice to remove valuables from the vehicles remains in effect, he said.

Police are expected to release a list of items recovered later in the day. Jackson did say two KapStone coats have been recovered and encouraged those missing them to contact the police department at 252-533-2810.