Around 7 AM Sunday, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance report the Speedway gas station on the 1600 block of Highway 11/55. A suspect had allegedly gotten into an argument with another individual in the parking lot and damaged a vehicle. The clerks saw the commotion, called 911 and locked the store doors to prevent the suspect from coming inside. However, the suspect used a blunt instrument to break the glass and entered the store. The clerks managed to hide inside a secure room while the suspect roamed the store, stole items and set several things on fire. Deputies arrived at the scene and took the suspect, 35-year-old Eric K. Kelly of Kinston, into custody. The deputies also used fire extinguishers to put out the fires. Kelly has been charged with:
- Felony First Degree Arson
- Felony Breaking and Entering with Intent to Injure
- Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering
- Felony Possession of Stolen Property
- Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property
- Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property
- Misdemeanor Communicating Threats
Kelly was placed into the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $145,000 secured bond.
