Kevin Burton Munn, 25, faces charges from the Roanoke Rapids Police Department of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods in the June 23, 2012, heist.
Munn, who has ties to the area, allegedly broke the glass door of the store in Becker Village Mall and went to the jewelry counter where he used a hammer to smash the display case.
Captain Andy Jackson of the police department said narcotics detectives Jamie Hardy and Daniel Hundley worked and solved the case as they investigated Munn's alleged ties to heroin deals where jewelry was being traded for heroin.
Their work, Jackson said, helped to solve similar cases in Warren County, Kitty Hawk, Henderson and Kernersville. “It was an extensive and massive investigation involving many jurisdictions.”
Police will put a detainer on Munn, which will be served upon his release from prison.
