Two people were arrested Thursday in what appear to be separate break-ins, according to Roanoke Rapids police.

Chief Andy Jackson said this morning detectives are investigating to determine whether there are any links between crimes allegedly committed by Kenneth Le'Varnon Patterson, 23, of Seaboard, and Altish Jerick Powell, 19, of Henry Street.

Patterson

Patterson, in a case investigated by Detective Frankie Griffin, was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and obtaining property by false pretense.

He was jailed on an $11,000 secured bond and has an August 6 court date.

Meanwhile, Powell, in a case investigated by Detective Corey Dixon, was charged with one count of breaking and entering, one count of larceny after breaking and entering, one count of possession of stolen property, one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of injury to property.

He received a $5,000 bond and August 6 court date.

The Patterson charges stem from a shed breaking and entering case on Jefferson Street in which electronics and guns were taken. There were two calls at the same residence that were discovered Wednesday and reported Thursday.

The second report was that a man later identified as Patterson had gone into the shed and removed a grass trimmer and chainsaw. The first breaking and entering case at the residence remains under investigation, Jackson said.

Patterson reportedly stopped people in the back alley and asked whether they would like to buy the items around 3 p.m. Thursday.

Officer S. Blythe, who was off-duty, observed this and called 911. Officer J. Salmon arrested Patterson.

Powell

In the Powell case, the police department received a call that a residence on Henry Street was broken into sometime between midnight and 11 a.m. Thursday. The back door glass was broken and electronics, jewelry and guns were taken.

Investigation by Dixon led him to charge Powell, and also recover the marijuana and stolen items.

“This is a case that shows that citizens being alert and Crimestoppers tips allowed investigators to complete these cases,” Jackson said.