Emil Lagos-Herrera is charged with 16 break-ins and accused of stealing over $65,000 in cash and goods from businesses.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man faces dozens of felony charges in connection with a series of break-ins at businesses that netted more than $65,000 in cash and merchandise over two nights this month, court documents show.
Emil Jafeth Lagos-Herrera, 19, was charged with breaking and entering at 16 separate locations, larceny after break-in at 11 businesses, and 16 counts of felony conspiracy, according to warrants issued Oct. 21 by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
Lagos-Herrera was arrested Oct. 14 as a fugitive from South Carolina, where he is wanted on charges of second-degree burglary with forced entry at a nonresidential property, according to an arrest warrant.
The Charlotte-area incidents occurred on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 at retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses in shopping centers along Providence Road and Lancaster Highway, court records show.
The most lucrative theft occurred at CPR Cell Phone Repair on Providence Road, where authorities say Lagos Herrera and unknown accomplices stole iPhone and Android screens, electronic parts, an Apple MacBook Pro 14, $800 in cash, and six Apple iPhones valued at $51,800.
At VIP Nails, also on Providence Road, thieves took a cash register containing $9,480, according to warrants.
Other targeted businesses included TLC Cleaners, Charlotte Vitamins and Health, Kung Fu Tea, Sushiya Japan, Super Pot, an ABC Store, Sephora, and Rack Room Shoes on or near Providence Road. Along Lancaster Highway, break-ins occurred at a UPS Store, Jimmy John’s, Finale Pizza, Postal Print & Ship, and Wolf’s Haircuts for Men.
The alleged thefts ranged from low totals of $20 in cash from Kung Fu Tea and Finale Pizza, and a $20 men’s fragrance tester from Sephora, to larger hauls, including $1,800 in cash from Charlotte Vitamins and Health and $1,390 worth of Nike merchandise from Rack Room Shoes.
All charges allege he conspired with “persons unknown” to commit the break-ins.
Lagos Herrera is being held without bond in Mecklenburg County jail.