Maple Hill man arrested for allegedly breaking into nearly 100 vehicles

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Maple Hill man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into nearly 100 vehicles.

Joseph Clark Jr., 40, has been linked to more than 30 breaking and entering into motor vehicle cases in Bladen County, 50 breaking and entering into motor vehicle cases in Lee County and 11 breaking and entering into motor vehicle cases in Harnett County, according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

They say these break-ins occurred throughout central North Carolina beginning in February.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Elizabethtown Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and Pender County Sheriff’s Office worked together by executing a search warrant around the 700 block of East Broad St in Elizabethtown. They say stolen items from several motor vehicle break-ins from all counties were located at this residence.

Clark Jr. was charged in Bladen County with multiple counts of breaking and entering motor vehicle with theft and possession of stolen goods/property and given a $25,000 secured bond.

Clark is currently being held at Lee County Detention Center.

This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges across North Carolina are expected.