Man charged with string of car break-ins after conviction earlier this year

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Carolina Beach Police have charged a man with nearly three dozen crimes after a string of car break-ins just months after he was convicted of similar crimes.

Police say Friday detectives and NC Probation went to the Buccaneer Motel at 201 Cape Fear Blvd., where they found Zachary C. Thompson, 19, who was staying there. Investigators say Thompson had become the focus of an ongoing investigation into car break-ins in town.

Detectives charged Thompson with 23 counts of felony vehicle breaking and entering and 12 counts of misdemeanor larceny.

Police say Thompson confessed to the crimes, and they were able to recover some of the stolen property. The investigation continues.

The NC Department of Public Safety website shows Thompson was convicted in June on two counts of felony breaking and entering, seven count of felony vehicle breaking and entering, one count felony larceny after breaking and entering and one count misdemeanor larceny. He was sentenced to probation.

Thompson is in the New Hanover County Jail, where records show he also faces several probation violation charges and possession with intent to sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substance.