Four men accused of breaking into vehicles in James City County between July 30 and Sept. 11 took photos of items taken and pawned jewelry and a watch, according to a criminal complaint filed against them in Williamsburg-James City County District Court.
Aaron Scott Lee, Austin Peterson, David Charles Brice Hartman and Christian Nick Bearisto were arrested last week for allegedly breaking into vehicles in various subdivisions in James City County at night and stealing firearms, bracelets, a watch, cash, a class ring and a camera.
Hartman admitted to police he purchased “black sweats and gloves” with Lee and Peterson at Walmart around 11:45 p.m. Sept. 10, the complaint states. Hartman said he drove the two men to a subdivision, where he was instructed to “drive to the rear and park.”
He told police Peterson and Lee put on the sweats they had purchased at Walmart and walked away from the car.
Hartman said they returned about 20 minutes later and told him “one of them said that all they got was some change and cigarettes,” according to the court documents.
The criminal complaint says Hartman told police he drove Lee and Peterson to a second area and waited for them for about an hour. He said he “heard a loud bang” and then saw Lee and Peterson run past his car with someone chasing them.
The citizen chasing them told police during the early morning hours of Sept. 11 he saw an individual on Wellington Circle in St. Georges Hundred rummaging through a car down the street and through his daughter’s car, which was parked in his driveway.
He told police he confronted the individual and began chasing him down the street, but the individual was able to get away.
Information from the citizen led investigators to find Peterson and Lee at the Star gas station in the upper end of James City County. The two were questioned, and the St. Georges Hundred citizen was able to positively identify Hartman as the man who was driving a red Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle in his neighborhood.
Police found a black iPod touch, a Samsung Galaxy and a plastic bag with money in Hartman’s car.
During his interview with police, Hartman received a phone call from Lee, who said they went to another neighborhood and broke into more vehicles after being chased down in St. Georges Hundred.
Search warrants obtained on cell phones belonging to Lee and Peterson revealed the two had taken photos of items stolen, including a para 1911 semi-automatic handgun, a Taurus Millennium semi-automatic handgun, a Coolpix camera and a .38 revolver.
Browser history on Peterson’s cell phone showed Peterson had looked up information on Omega Seamaster watches, one of the items reported stolen Sept. 4. Hartman told police he had seen Peterson wearing an Omega black and silver watch. The watch is valued between $700 and $1,000.
The complaint states further investigation revealed Bearisto pawned a class ring and two silver bracelets valued at $1,250, which were reported stolen from vehicles Aug. 22 and Sept. 5, respectively.
Deputy Chief Steve Rubino with the James City County Police Department said the four men are suspected of being responsible for many of the break-ins in the different neighborhoods.
Rubino said the investigation is ongoing.
“We expect additional charges are likely on some of the individuals, if not all, who have already been charged, and we will continue to pursue who else may have been involved.”
Lee is charged with felony counts of grand larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail without bond.
Peterson is charged with felony grand larceny and felony conspiracy to commit grand larceny. He is being held on a $4,500 unsecured bond.
Hartman is charged with felony grand larceny and felony conspiracy to commit grand larceny. He is being held on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
Bearisto is charged with felony receiving stolen property. He is being held at the VPRJ without bond.
Related Coverage:
- JCC Police Arrest Four in Connection With Series of Vehicle Break-Ins
- JCC Police Urge Citizens to Lock Cars After Thefts From Vehicles Continue
- James City County Police: String of Vehicle Break-Ins Likely Related
- James City County Report Series of Vehicle Break-ins Since Sept. 1.
- JCC Police: Eight Vehicle Break-ins Reported in Toano
- JCC Police Investigate After 14 Vehicles Rummaged Through in Scott’s Pond
