ASHEVILLE, NC (828newsNOW.com) — A 19-year-old man and two unidentified juveniles have been arrested and charged in connection with a “surge” of vehicle break-ins since late last year, Asheville Police reported on Wednesday.
Taysean Jaheim Green, 19, is facing a total of 65 charges, including: 29 counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of felony larceny, two counts of larceny, 29 counts of injury to personal property, one count of conspiracy and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Prior to his arrest, Asheville Police, in conjunction with the Department of Juvenile Justice, filed petitions including more than 200 charges against two juveniles in connection with various vehicle break-ins around the city, police reported.
The police department first noted a “string of car break-ins” between Dec. 9 and the morning of Dec. 10, when officers responded to reports of 106 vehicles being damaged in the overnight hours. In the majority of the cases, vehicle windows were smashed but no items were taken.
The spate of vehicle break-ins reportedly continued. Police said that between Dec. 14, 2023, and Jan. 5, 2024, there were 61 reported incidents of vehicles being damaged, including a string of car break-ins at hotels on Tunnel Road, Smokey Park Highway and Hendersonville Road. Again, in the majority of those cases, vehicle windows were smashed but no items were taken.