Jewelry

Officers received a report around 1 a.m. that Gregory Jewelers at 110 N. Sterling St. had been broken into, according to an MDPS press release. The suspects were wearing dark ski masks and fled in a white Nissan.

Officers arrived at the business, which had its front door smashed in. Several jewelry cases also had been broken into, the release said.

As officer Vue was responding to the call, he noticed the Nissan travelling fast on Burkemont Avenue. Vue followed the vehicle, which turned east onto Interstate 40 and sped away, the release said.

Vue turned on his emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop the vehicle, which was being driven by Hailey. The chase reached speeds up to 120 mph, according to the release.

The front left tire of the Nissan blew out near Exit 123, and the vehicle was forced to stop. Police arrested all five suspects, two of which are validated gang members, the release said.

Kings Mountain residents Garrett Fredrick, 24, and Jose Rodriguez, 23, both were arrested with Kelvie Brooks, 24, of Cherryville. Tyler and Hailey currently live in Blacksburg, South Carolina, according to the release.

Each suspect was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering and possession of burglary tools. Hailey also was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest and other traffic violations, the release said.

Everyone was given a $75,000 secured bond, except for Hailey, whose bond was set at $90,000. Each suspect was scheduled to appear in court Friday, the release said.

Whisnant said no one was injured during the heist or chase. None of the suspects were armed, he said.

The value of the stolen jewelry has not been determined, Whisnant said. However, Gregory Jewelers owner Darwin Wilder said a small amount was taken from three cases.

“(The suspects) didn’t act like they knew what they were doing,” Wilder said. “It’s an inconvenience and it took us a long time to get the glass gleaned up, and it’s costly. It’s a hard hit.”

Wilder said he is thankful for a nearby business owner, who called police after the break-in occurred. The crime happened quick, lasting only about 20 seconds, Darwin said.

And building owner Steve Gregory said he also wanted to thank law enforcement for responding quickly and for catching the suspects.

 The Burke County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. State Highway Patrol and Catawba County Sheriff’s Department assisted MDPS, according to the release.

Fredrick has multiple previous convictions from Gaston and Cleveland counties, including felony breaking and entering and common law robbery.