Arson investigation leads to felony charges against two
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 16, 2013
SALISBURY — An arson investigation led detectives to a credit card theft and later a possible break-in spree.
Salisbury Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said a suspicious fire Dec. 21 sparked a probe into a missing credit card at the Reeves Street residence where the fire began.
Lingle said detectives later named 32-year-old Tyrone Dejonas Vinson as a suspect. Following a house raid Tuesday morning, authorities arrested Vinson and charged him with felony obtaining property by false pretense and felony identity theft.
Inside the home, police said, deputies found evidence linking Vinson to break-ins in the city and county.
On Tuesday, Rowan deputies charged Vinson in a break-in on Forest Winds Drive.
Investigators said the homeowner arrived at his residence to find the home ransacked.
Along with Vinson, Michael Deshawn Mason, 37, was also charged.
A Wii gaming console, three watches, a .44-caliber revolver, an Apple laptop and iPad, a safe with a coin collection and two semi-automatic rifles were taken from the home, according to warrants. The property was listed at more than $21,000.
Vinson and Mason were each charged with felony safecracking, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering and felony larceny of a firearm.
Vinson, a convicted felon, was also charged with felony possession of a firearm as a felon.
Vinson remained in jail Wednesday under a $50,000 bond. Mason was given a $20,000 bond.
Salisbury Police said detectives are still investigating and more break-in charges could come.