SANFORD, N.C. (WNCN) — A man was arrested on Wednesday after more than 50 cars were broken into in central North Carolina, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Pender County Sheriff’s Office, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabeth Police Department worked together and discovered Joseph Clark Jr., 40, of Maple Hill, is also suspected of breaking and entering 11 vehicles in Harnett County and 30 vehicles in Bladen County.

Clark Jr. was charged in Lee County with:

  • 10 counts of breaking and entering to a motor vehicle with theft
  • Eight coutns of felony possession of stolen goods
  • Seven counts of misdemeanor larceny
  • Five counts of breaking and entering to a motor vehicle
  • Two counts of attempted breaking and entering to a motor vehicle
  • One count of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods
  • One count of felony larceny

He was transported to the Lee County Detention Center and received a $166,000 secured bond.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges across North Carolina are expected.