Roanoke Rapids police investigators reportedly tied Mahkhi Bynum to the case through fingerprints lifted from Chief Chuck Hasty’s vehicle, Captain Bobby Martin said.

Bynum, who has multiple court dates in January and February on pending counts, was charged with breaking, entering and larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm, felony possession of a stolen firearm, misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Hasty said Bynum, who has no fixed address, was jailed on $10,000 bond and has a January 3 court date.

Earlier this evening police executed a search warrant in what is traditionally called the no-hundred block of Madison Street where the case containing the rifle stolen from Hasty’s vehicle was recovered. The rifle, magazine and bullet-proof vest stolen from the vehicle have not been recovered, Martin said.

Hasty credited “hard, dedicated work by investigators” for bringing a quick resolution to the case.

Martin would not say whether he believed Bynum was targeting law enforcement. “I have an opinion, but will reserve that for later.”

Hasty said investigators are still trying to determine how access was gained to the vehicle and why the hood of the vehicle had been opened. The vehicle was locked and the items were out of view.

Hasty said the arrest will not change a directive he issued which states from now on officers are to remove weapons stored in vehicles when off-duty. The previous policy was weapons are to be removed when vehicles are being serviced.

Martin credited the work of investigators Jeff Davis, Gorton Williams and Obert Wiltsie in solving the case, in which more arrests are expected. “It’s good to get it solved. It would be better if we had the items recovered. We still have work to do.”