City police say they have five men and two juveniles in custody who are responsible for multiple break-ins along the Port Republic Road corridor that occurred while many James Madison University students were away for spring break.On Sunday, police were called to the 800 block of Port Republic Road for a trespassing incident. Police say once officers arrived, they found drugs and electronics in plain view.
That led to the seven arrests in connection with 14 break-ins that occurred last week mostly in the Hunters Ridge complex, which caters to JMU students. About 150 items have been recovered, police said.Five men, four from Harrisonburg and one from Staunton, were charged in the case. Two Staunton teens also were charged.Police say three of the seven arrested are known members of the "VA Stick Up" street gang, which is part of the Bloods.Those arrested were:
Jonathan Yale Artope, 19, of Harrisonburg, who was charged with six counts of felony burglary, and six counts of felony conspiracy to commit a burglary/breaking and entering;
Willie Anthony Colson Jr., 19, of Harrisonburg, who was charged with 14 counts of felony burglary, 14 counts of felony conspiracy to commit a burglary/breaking and entering and one count of felony gang participation;
Airik Bose Carter, 18, of Harrisonburg, who was charged with 10 counts of felony burglary, and 10 counts of felony conspiracy to commit a burglary/breaking and entering;
Aaron Michael Weaver, 19, of Harrisonburg, who was charged with 14 counts of felony burglary, and 14 counts of felony conspiracy to commit a burglary/breaking and entering;
Preston Lee Moats, 19, of Staunton, who was charged with four counts of felony burglary, four counts of felony conspiracy to commit a burglary/breaking and entering, and one count of felony gang participation;
A 15-year-old Staunton boy, who was charged with the possession of a firearm, receiving/concealing stolen goods and possession of marijuana;
A 17-year-old Staunton boy, who was charged with gang participation and four counts of burglary.