A misdemeanor breaking and entering count was lodged today against a customer who posed as a FedEx employee in order to check on the status of their vehicle at a garage whose owner has already been charged twice with elder exploitation.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin said the person’s name is currently being withheld as the case remains under investigation and more charges could be filed and more people could be involved.

The breaking and entering took place at Pomp Boys Motors off Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.

The person charged came to the business on July 8 in FedEx clothing and a truck disguised as one of the company’s vehicles, Martin said.

The person had paid money to Pomp Boys for vehicle repairs which Martin said had not been done. Pomp Boys had not returned phone calls as well.

“The Roanoke Rapids Police Department wants everyone to understand that there is a process which must be followed in order to handle situations regarding obtaining property from a person or a business, and we encourage everyone to please follow the proper procedures in order to keep anyone from being harmed or facing punishment for taking matters into their own hands,” Martin said in a statement. “If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us so that we may assist you in the matter.”

The matter comes as the owner of Pomp Boys, Vivian Pompliano, has already been charged twice this year — once in May and once in late June.

The case in May centers around an elderly victim who told police her late husband’s vehicle was being held for minor repairs.

The victim told police that when she attempted to retrieve the vehicle she was told she could not be advised what work was done to it. She was given a price for vehicle storage — close to $10,000.

Martin said at the time the price quoted seemed extremely high to the victim. That’s when the victim contacted police.

The vehicle was taken to Pomp Boys early in 2021 before her husband’s death.

The case in June centers around a victim who had carried their vehicle to a dealership after initially having it towed from Raleigh. 

The dealership was booked so the victim carried the vehicle to Pomp Boys.

The victim was charged $2,500 for the work done, work in which the victim’s husband disputed the need for the parts used. After leaving the business under the pretense the vehicle was fixed, the vehicle broke down again with the same issues.

Pompliano has a July 28 court date for the May and June charges.