Statesville Police Department Arrests Suspect in O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Break-In
Statesville, NC – July 29, 2024: On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at approximately 2:00 AM, the Statesville Police Department responded to a break-in alarm at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, located at 528 N. Center Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the store had been broken into and the cash registers were missing.
While officers were heading to the scene, a patrol officer observed a suspect attempting to hide behind a nearby residence. The officer approached the suspect, who then fled on foot.
After a brief pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and identified as Michael Todd Cromwell, 59, of Statesville. Cromwell was found in possession of burglary tools and was positively identified as the individual responsible for the break-in at O’Reilly’s. The stolen cash registers were also recovered at the scene.
Cromwell was interviewed by investigators at the Statesville Police Department and is believed to be involved in several other recent break-ins in the area over the past few months. Following the interview, Cromwell was brought before the Iredell County Magistrate Office and is currently being held without bond pending his first court appearance.
Cromwell has an extensive history of commercial breaking and entering offenses, tampering with coin-operated machines, and possession of burglary tools, with offenses dating back to 1986. He was released from prison on February 6, 2023, after serving a 10-year sentence for similar offenses.
The investigation remains active, and further charges against Cromwell are expected.
