Putting brakes on thefts

Onslow County Sheriff's detectives arrested two and are searching for two others in connection to an alleged motorcycle theft ring.

William David McKinney, 23, was charged with multiple counts of stealing motorcycles and Rachel Lee Haswell, 29, was charged with multiple counts of possession of stolen motorcycles.

An arrest warrant is on file for James Lee Ruffin, 36, for similar charges.

Mark Anthony Thacker, 28, is wanted for questioning, Sheriff Ed Brown said.

"Thacker is believed to have an automatic assault rifle in his possession and should be considered dangerous," Brown said. 

McKinney, of Cannon Court in Hubert, was charged with six counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, six counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, first-degree burglary, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen goods. His bond was set at $70,000.

McKinney is accused of stealing a 1999 Yamaha, a 1999 Honda, a 2007 Yamaha, a 2006 Yamaha, a 2008 Honda and a 2009 Kawasaki valued at a total of $30,000. He is also accused of taking a wallet and motorcycle key from a house, according to warrants.

Haswell, of Old Fountain Road in Richlands, was charged with six counts of conspiracy, six counts of possession of a motor vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her bond was set at $12,500.

Several motorcycle thefts have occurred in Onslow County since July. On Sept. 26, Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Robinson received a tip that there were eight motorcycles hidden in a dog kennel at 243 Old Fountain Road in Richlands - the home of Thacker and Haswell, according to authorities. 

Robinson and other deputies were able to see the windshields of two motorcycles in an open "A" frame structure at the Old Farm Road residence. Haswell allowed detectives to search the kennel and they found seven motorcycles inside, Brown said.

Six of the seven motorcycles have been confirmed stolen.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the house and other buildings on the property. "Drugs were found in the residence (along with) a key to one of the stolen motorcycles," Brown said in a news release.

Six of the motorcycles were stolen from Onslow County, one from Jacksonville and one from Greenville.

Sheriff's detectives ask anyone with information about Thacker or Ruffin to call the Onslow County Sheriff's Department at 910-455-3113.

Contact crime reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.