Over the past several weeks the Kinston Police Department has seen an increase in automotive thefts occurring in the city. On Saturday, July 30, 2022, at approximately 11 p.m. Kinston Police  Officers responded to the report of a stolen motor vehicle in the area of Highway 70 East.  Officers arrived on scene and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, which subsequently fled from officers. After a short pursuit, the driver of the vehicle lost control and crashed. At the conclusion of the investigation three juveniles were arrested and charged with Larceny of Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Many of these crimes are occurring at gas stations when  vehicle owners leave their vehicles unattended and running in the parking lot. Others are  occurring over night when vehicles are left unsecure with the keys inside. The Kinston Police  Department would like to remind everyone to continue to lock your vehicle anytime that you  are away from it and help us prevent these crimes from occurring.  

If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444. Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for  information that leads to an arrest.