HAMLET — A South Carolina pair accused of stealing vehicles in two states are sitting in a coastal county jail after leading officers on a chase.
Larry Dale Martin and Megan Dassaro, both 25, of Lancaster, South Carolina, are facing multiple felony charges in North Carolina after allegedly stealing an SUV in their home state, a car in Hamlet and another vehicle in Pender County.
According to Capt. Randy Dover of the Hamlet Police Department, the pair’s crime spree started last week when they stole a 2000 Chevy Tahoe from Grits and Grocery in Pageland, South Carolina.
(The RO originally reported that it was stolen from Hartsville, South Carolina, but Dover clarified Monday that it was stolen in Lancaster, but the vehicle’s owner is from Hartsville.)
Thursday morning, Martin stole a 2008 Scion XB from the Speedway gas station and drove it to the pumps at the Circle B convenience store. There, he was caught on camera getting out of the car with a purse and other items and climbing in the driver’s seat of the Tahoe.
Police posted the video to Facebook in hopes of getting help identifying the suspect.
Martin and Dassaro were arrested Friday after they reportedly dumped the SUV, stole another vehicle and later crashed it in a chase with officers in Pender County.
Online jail records show they were each charged with one felony count each of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle, and breaking and entering a motor vehicle. Martin faces additional charges of fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and injury to real property.
Investigators in Hamlet have charged them with one felony count each of larceny of a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy and financial card theft, for allegedly taking the victim’s debit card.
They are also charged with misdemeanor larceny for stealing the victim’s purse, wallet, cellphone, social security card and $85 in cash, according to warrants.
The RO was unable to find out what charges they will be facing in South Carolina.
They are currently being held in the Pender County Jail: Martin under a $40,000 secured bond; Dessaro under a $15,000 secured bond.
Online records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety show neither has any previous convictions in this state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
