DURHAM, NC (Friday, May 8, 2026) - The Durham County Sheriff’s Office, as part of a joint effort with neighboring agencies, has served additional warrants on a Durham man in connection with a recent rash of vehicle break-ins.  
Twice in April, 18-year-old Lester Mayo was booked into the Durham County Detention Center in connection with similar crimes, including the charges previously released (below).   On both occasions, he met the terms of release set by the court and was released from custody.  
Since then, and over the course of the last three weeks, Mayo was suspected of several additional break-ins in Durham County and Wake County, as well as the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Towns of Cary and Morrisville. On Thursday, May 7, members of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit, SAC/Narc, and Strike Team, working with the Cary and Raleigh Police Departments, located and arrested Mayo in the Town of Cary.   Mayo was taken to the Wake County Detention Center, where he remains today without bond.    
At the time of his arrest, Mayo was in the company of several other individuals, including juveniles.  As part of the ongoing investigation, we expect there to be additional arrests and juvenile petitions filed in connection with these incidents.
There has been a marked increase in this type of crime since the beginning of 2026, especially in and around Research Triangle Park.  The Durham County Sheriff’s Office suspects that many are connected to a single group of individuals.   “Criminals do not stop at county lines, and neither does our commitment to public safety,” said Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead. “This arrest is a direct result of the seamless collaboration between the Durham County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners in Cary, Raleigh, and Wake County. By sharing intelligence and resources, we are sending a clear message that those who target our communities will be held accountable, no matter where they attempt to hide.”
Sheriff Birkhead wants to remind everyone about the following to keep your vehicle and property safe.

• Never Leave Valuables in Plain Sight: Remove bags, laptops, electronics, sunglasses, and loose change.  Never leave an unsecured firearm in your vehicle.
• Lock Up Every Time: Always lock doors and close windows, even when parked at home or in a garage.
• Use the Trunk: If you must leave items, secure them in the trunk before you reach your destination to prevent thieves from watching you hide items.
• Choose Parking Wisely: Use well-lit, busy, and visible areas. Avoid parking near shrubbery or in dark, isolated spots.
• Do Not Leave Spare Keys: Never hide spare keys on the vehicle.

   
The following information was released on Tuesday, April 21, 2026  
A Durham man has been charged as part of a series of vehicle break-ins in Durham County, which occurred in recent months. 
On Friday, April 17, investigators from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) charged 18-year-old Lester Mayo in connection with thefts from motor vehicles in and around Research Triangle Park.   Mayo was interviewed about the incidents after an arrest in an adjoining jurisdiction regarding his connection to the crimes, which he is alleged to have committed while wearing a court-ordered monitoring device.  GPS data from the device puts him in the area of the breaking and enterings.
 
Mayo is charged with:

• 6 counts of Breaking/Entering a Motor Vehicle
• 6 counts Injury to Personal Property

 
This investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges and arrests are pending.