Additional charges filed against men arrested last week

Authorities have filed more charges against two men arrested last week in separate breaking and entering cases.

David Michael Houle, 21, of Sherrill Loop Road, was charged Tuesday by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Department with more break-ins in the Sneads Ferry area.

Thomas D. Ruckman, 34, of Grace Street, was charged by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Department with several break-ins in Beulaville, Pink Hill and Wallace.

Houle is accused of breaking into homes on Bay Court, Chadwick Lane and Sherrill Loop Road in Sneads Ferry. He was charged with six counts of breaking and entering, six counts of larceny after breaking and entering, six counts of possession of stolen goods, conspiracy and possession of firearm by a felon for having a stolen Remington 870 shotgun, according to warrants.

Houle was taken into custody last week when a patrol deputy stopped him driving a golf cart on Peru Lane. Houle’s girlfriend, Olivia Jean Dunn, 20, was arrested after deputies found her hiding in Houle’s home and allegedly trying to conceal evidence.

Houle’s bonds total $179,500.

Sheriff’s detectives said Ruckman’s arrest last week has cleared hundreds of break-ins in surrounding counties.

Duplin authorities charged Ruckman with breaking into 23 homes, taking mostly gold jewelry. In many cases, Ruckman caused damage to doors while breaking in.

The charges from Duplin County bring Ruckman’s total to more than 200 criminal counts.

He is accused of breaking into more than 300 homes in Onslow, Pender, Craven, Jones, Duplin, Brunswick, Carteret and New Hanover counties, according to Sheriff’s detectives.

Ruckman’s bonds total $658,500.

Both investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected, Sheriff Ed Brown said Wednesday.

“It is rewarding to be able to call victims and tell them we have solved their case,” Brown said.

To view an interactive map of 911 calls in Onslow County, click here.

Contact Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read his blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.