Break-in at Yopps foiled by area fishermen

Area fisherman helped foil a break in at Yopp's Tire and Garage in Sneads Ferry early Saturday.

Several fishermen observed two men breaking and entering the business at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning, according to a release from the Onslow County Sheriffs Department.

The fisherman became suspicious when they observed Elvertis Frazier Jr., 42, of N.C. 172 in Sneads Ferry, walking around in the fenced in area of the business and contacted the Sheriff's office. The fisherman also "maintained custody" of Frazier and Clifford Joe Farmer, 35, of N.C. 172 in Sneads Ferry, until law officers arrived.

After investigating, detective sergeant Michael Gibbs issued warrants on Frazier and Farmer, who were placed in the Onslow County Jail. 

Farmer was charged Saturday with first degree trespassing, attempted larceny, two counts of felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or seriously injure, possession of up to half an ounce of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of larceny after breaking and entering and two counts of possession of stolen property.

Farmer is accused of entering Yopp's Tires in Sneads Ferry without permission and stealing radiators, copper wire and other valuable recyclable materials and conspiring with Frazier to do so. Farmer is also accused of assaulting five people with a silver Pontiac Bonneville with the intent to kill or inflict serious injury, possessing up to half an ounce of marijuana and a plastic bag. Farmer is also accused of breaking into LD's Landscaping in Sneads Ferry and stealing a Miller MIG welder, a Lincoln ARC welder, chainsaws, weed eaters, portable grinders and other miscellaneous tools valued at $4,350, according to warrants.

Bonds totaled $45,000.

Frazier was charged Saturday with first degree trespassing, attempted larceny, two counts of felony conspiracy, possession of up to half an ounce of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking opium, two counts of possession of stolen property, two counts of breaking and entering, and two counts of larceny after breaking and entering.

Frazier is accused of Entering Yopp's Tires in Sneads Ferry without permission and stealing radiators, cooper wire and other valuable recyclable materials and conspiring with Farmer to do so. Frazier is also accused of possessing up to half an ounce of marijuana and more than four but less than 14 grams of opium and a plastic bag and an amber colored pill bottle to store a controlled substance. He is also accused of breaking into LD's Landscaping in Sneads Ferry and stealing a Miller MIG welder, a Lincoln ARC welder, chainsaws, weed eaters, portable grinders and other miscellaneous tools valued at $4,350, according to warrants.

Bonds totaled $60,000.

Detective Gibbs said additional charges may be pending.