Three arrested, one man wanted

by Della Batts
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, July 2, 2009 2:27 PM EDT

SEABOARD — Three people are incarcerated and one is still wanted in a home invasion on June 22, where an 84-year old grandmother and her two teenage granddaughters were assaulted and held at gunpoint.

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Police are looking for Karon Antwain McDonald, 19, of Paxton Lane in Edenton. He is believed to be wanted in Elizabeth City and Edenton and warrants are on file for his alleged involvement in this incident.

Seaboard Police Chief George Reed said the grandmother and her granddaughters were watching television when they heard a scratching at the door. Suddenly the front door was kicked in and three black men, two of them wearing masks entered the home, brandishing a shotgun. One of the granddaughters hid behind a door and called 911.

Laron Chez Eason Jr., 21, allegedly held the shotgun to the grandmother’s head and questioned her about money in the house, then he shoved the other granddaughter to the floor and held the shotgun to her head while questioning her about money, according to police reports. The grandmother informed the men she had no money in the house, it was all in the bank.

According to Reed, the thing that saved the family was the grandmother had a Lifeline Alert necklace. She pressed the alert button and a voice came in asking her if she was all right. According to Reed, she said, “No, there are three black men in my house.” Lifeline told her the police were on the way. The men became afraid and left without taking anything. “If it wasn’t for Lifeline, it’s no telling what could have happened,” Reed said.

According to Reed, the three men are believed to have stayed with friends that night in Seaboard, along with Eason’s girlfriend.

Arrested in this incident was Eason, age 21, from Edenton. He is charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree kidnapping, two counts of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, simple assault, assault on a female and injury to real property.

Jason Maurice Robinson, age 18, was also arrested in this incident. He is from Lincoln Park in Rich Square. He faces the same charges as Eason.

The third arrest was Crystal Jo Little, 19, of Roanoke Rapids. Reed said she is believed to be the driver for the men and was Eason’s girlfriend. She is three months pregnant. She faces the same charges as the men, excepting the assault on a female charge.

All three suspects were taken to Northampton County Detention Center and held under a $128,000 bond. At their first appearance, yesterday the judge added a $125,000 cash bond to each of their previous bonds. They are still in custody.

Reed said Eason is known to be involved in the Folk Nation branch of the Crips gang. He said he expects more charges to be handed down on the three as further investigation revealed they may have been involved in a similar incident earlier in the evening in Rich Square. He said there have been a rash of similar burglary incidents in Halifax, Northampton, Bertie and Hertford counties recently. Law enforcement agencies from all three counties are working together to see if this group is associated with the other incidents.

“The sheriff’s departments in Northampton and Halifax counties helped tremendously,” said Reed. “All the law enforcement agencies we called on really stepped up to the plate.” Reed also said he appreciates all the help and information that came in from the community. “I was touched by the cohesiveness of the community, how everyone came together and showed concern.”

Reed said he will not rest until McDonald is found. “Until McDonald is arrested, no rock will be left unturned, no leads left unfollowed,” he said.

Next appearance for the three arrested is July 13.

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