PITTSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) — A Durham man, 26-year-old Dekenneth Mileek Covington, is facing a series of felony charges in connection to a vehicle break-in in Chatham County, as well as related crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions, according to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.
Covington, a resident of the 1100 block of S. Hoover Street in Durham, was arrested and held at the Lee County Detention Center after several attempts to detain him across different counties.
The investigation began on May 30, when Chatham County deputies responded to a report of a car break-in in the 50000 block of Governors Drive in Chapel Hill. The victim reported that personal belongings, including financial cards, were stolen.
Those stolen cards were quickly used at a nearby Walmart in north Chatham County. Surveillance footage from the store helped law enforcement identify Covington as a suspect.
Further investigation revealed Covington’s involvement in several other car break-ins in different jurisdictions. Attempts to arrest him escalated into dangerous pursuits. Garner Police initially tried to detain him, but he fled and rammed patrol vehicles. On June 22, state troopers attempted a second arrest, during which Covington reportedly climbed through his car’s sunroof and fired a weapon at pursuing officers.
Authorities finally apprehended Covington and served him with multiple outstanding warrants.
“This effort is a strong example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “It took teamwork, communication, and persistence across jurisdictions to bring this individual into custody.”
Covington faces several charges in Chatham County, including:
Felony breaking/entering a motor vehicle with theft
Three counts of felony financial card theft
Felony financial card fraud
Felony identity theft
Felony obtaining property by false pretense
Misdemeanor injury to personal property
He is currently held on a $50,000 secured bond in Chatham County, with a total secured bond of $1.415 million across all jurisdictions. Covington is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Monday.
