A man was arrested on felony charges Saturday after breaking into a person’s house who had recently passed away.

Luis Fernando Delarosa, 32, of Kinston was arrested by Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies Saturday after responding to a breaking-and-entering call in the 100 block of Gulick Drive. Deputies arrived to the scene and attempted to get someone to answer the door, but no one answered.

After observing an unoccupied vehicle next door at an abandoned property and following the arrival of more deputies, they returned to the original house and heard someone running inside the residence. Delarosa exited the rear of the house and fled on foot towards the woods but deputies apprehended him and took him into custody.

After speaking with the suspect, they obtained consent to search the vehicle, which was Delarosa’s. Inside the vehicle, documents were located that belonged to the owner of the residence, who had recently passed away. Deputies spoke to a member of the house owner’s family on the phone and the family member advised them no one was supposed to be inside the house.

Deputies were given permission to check the residence for the family member and it appeared Delarosa was attempting to establish residency inside the property.

Delarosa was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering. He received a $7,500 secured bond.