Stolen vehicles, auto chases and the arrest of four people

Two vehicle pursuits plus the recovery of stolen vehicles, which were taken a Williamsburg auto dealer, equaled the arrest of three North Carolina residents and the identification of a fourth suspect Tuesday evening, according to a Whitley County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

The investigation began when the sheriff’s office responded to a reported burglary at K & A Auto Sales, which is located in the Three-Point community of Whitley County.

“The investigation revealed multiple suspects had forced entry inside the business and stole items from inside as well as multiple vehicles from the car lot. While deputies were on scene of the K & A Auto Sales burglary, one of the stolen vehicles was observed on Prewitt Bend Road, where a subject fled from Whitley County Police Chief Brandon Prewitt. The stolen vehicle fled north on US 25 and a vehicle pursuit was initiated but after a short distance was discontinued due to public safety concerns,” the release noted.

The stolen vehicle was soon found abandoned on a roadway in McCreary County. Witnesses on the scene directed officers to the suspect’s location, and deputies from the two departments soon located the suspect off of KY 1045.

“The suspect fled from deputies on foot into a wooded area but was ultimately taken into custody,” the release stated.

Police identified the suspect as Jeremy Motley, 33, of Salisbury, North Carolina. He was charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, third-degree burglary and receiving stolen property-auto, according to the release.

Prior to the discovery of the K & A Auto Sales burglary, the Williamsburg Police Department was patrolling near the Exit 15 Express Mart when Sgt. Elijah Hunter observed suspects attempting to force entry into the store. The suspects then fled from the scene and a vehicle pursuit began, which was discontinued at the Tennessee state line, the release stated.

Because the two cases appeared to be related, a joint investigation was initiated.

“In an attempt to locate the remaining stolen vehicles taken from K & A Auto Sales those vehicles were posted on the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office social media page where we requested the public’s help in locating these vehicles. Through information gained from the public’s assistance, the additional stolen vehicles were located and recovered in Whitley County,” according to the release.

The recovery of one stolen vehicle led to additional information, which resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a Williamsburg motel where multiple suspects were detained and later arrested in connection to the K & A Auto Sales burglary and vehicle thefts, the release stated.

A total of three people were arrested at the scene of the search warrant.

Sheriff’s Lt. Wayne Bird charged Rocky Brady, 33, of Salisbury, with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools and three counts of receiving stolen property.

Bird charged Kristian Starliper, 34, of Kannapolis, with complicity to commit third-degree burglary, complicity to commit receiving stolen property-auto and possession of burglary tools.

Bird charged Brittney Fraley, 36, of Salisbury, with possession of marijuana, possession of burglary tools and facilitation to receive stolen property-auto.

All three were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Bird is continuing the burglary and vehicle theft investigations. Hunter is continuing the attempted burglary investigation in reference to the Exit 15 Express Mart.

They were assisted by multiple officers from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office, the Williamsburg Police Department, and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office.

“This joint investigation between the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office and the Williamsburg Police Department shows what can be accomplished when agencies work together for the greater good of our community. In addition, the public’s willingness to provide information led to the quick recovery of additional stolen property as well as the arrest of three of the suspects,” Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte wrote in the release.