Organized crime group connected to series of car break-ins at trailheads in Orange County

Lemone Octaviu Slaughter, 47, has been charged with multiple car break-ins at popular trailhead parking lots.

Slaughter is wanted for similar crimes in at least three other states. At the time of his arrest, he possessed a Florida and a Georgia drivers license, multiple stolen credit cards, and three cell phones.

The first break-in happened at Hollow Rock Nature Park on Erwin Road on Sunday, Feb. 4, during which Slaughter allegedly stole a tote bag, a wallet, and a variety of debit cards, credit cards and identification documents.

He allegedly broke into the vehicle within minutes of a driver parking a car and entering the trail system.

Working with other agencies and obtaining security footage from the park, investigators identified a suspicious vehicle, a silver Chrysler Pacifica, recently seen circulating in and out of several parks and hiking areas in multiple jurisdictions.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said that within 30 minutes of sharing the vehicle description with patrol units on Feb. 6, an investigator entering the parking lot at the Brumley Nature Preserve on New Hope Church Road saw Slaughter. Then, the sheriff's office said the investigator saw Slaughter, who was facing the rear window of an SUV, jump away from that vehicle and into a silver Chrysler Pacifica. He had a window punch in his possession, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators immediately arrested Slaughter for attempted breaking or entering a motor vehicle. The next day, they added a charge for breaking or entering a motor vehicle and four counts of financial card theft in connection with the earlier break-in at Hollow Rock Nature Park.

Slaughter posted a $20,00.00 bond on Feb. 8. He is next due in court on March 22.

“Thieves in cases like these target vehicles at trailheads, gyms, and other places where drivers would not want to carry purses or other heavy items with them. However, leaving expensive items visible, even in a locked car, is a costly practice. Please secure valuables and sensitive identification documents in the trunk of your vehicle, or better yet, leave such items at home," said Sheriff Charles Blackwood.

Investigator Nazworth, the lead investigator in the case, cautions victims to act quickly if their credit cards or other financial instruments are stolen.

He says:

"These perpetrators are sophisticated, and they move fast," said Nazworth. "They are in and out of a parking lot within minutes, and often the thief or an accomplice makes large purchases of merchandise or gift cards within the hour."

The Orange County thefts are similar to those committed by an organized crime group known as the Felony Lane Gang. If anyone has additional information or has been a victim of such a theft, please call Investigator Nazworth at (919) 245- 2960.