Three Arrested in Connection with Fayetteville Residential Break-Ins
Fayetteville Police have apprehended three individuals suspected of involvement in a series of residential break-ins that plagued the community between mid-May and mid-June 2025. The arrests, made by detectives from the Fayetteville Police Department’s Property and Fraud Unit with assistance from the Gang Unit, have so far led to the resolution of five breaking and entering cases.
The affected areas include residences on W. Rowan Street, Brookside Avenue, Hull Road, McNeill Street, and Pearl Street.
The individuals charged and arrested in connection with these crimes are:
Walker Johnson, a 25-year-old Black male from Fayetteville, was arrested on June 26, 2025. Johnson faces numerous charges, including four counts each of felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen goods/property. He is also charged with six counts each of larceny of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, along with three counts of felony conspiracy. Johnson is currently held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $1,350,000 secured bond.
Erik Hartsfield II, a 21-year-old Black male from Fayetteville, was arrested on June 26, 2025. Hartsfield has been charged with three counts each of felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods/property, and felony conspiracy. He is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $300,000 secured bond.
Motavis Freeman, a 22-year-old Black male from Fayetteville, was arrested earlier on June 13, 2025. Freeman faces three counts each of felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods/property, larceny of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. He is also charged with four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of felony conspiracy. Freeman is held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $300,000 secured bond.
Captain Shawn Strepay, who oversees the Fayetteville Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, commented on the arrests, stating, "A crime inside of one's own home can leave victims feeling unsafe and vulnerable. I commend our detectives for their thorough investigation which has led to these arrests. Our work is not finished, and we will continue to investigate these cases to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
It's important to remember that all suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Persons of interest are believed to have information related to a case and have not been charged unless explicitly stated.
These investigations are ongoing, and further charges may be forthcoming.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding residential breaking and entering crimes in these areas to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1856 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
