PENDLETON—The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting the extradition of a suspect from Virginia while seeking another suspect believed to be involved in the same crime.

On Tuesday afternoon, a break-in at a residence in Northampton County led to a chase across the North Carolina/Virginia state line where it ended with one suspect in custody and Southampton County (Va.) authorities searching for another suspect who escaped on foot.

According to NCSO Detective Lieutenant Brenda Burnette, Jesse Braswell, 19 of Blue Ridge Trail in Windsor, Va. was taken into custody by Virginia authorities after the chase.

Burnette said on the Northampton County side of the case, Braswell is charged with felony breaking and entering, injury to real property, misdemeanor larceny and larceny of firearms.

Braswell will be facing more charges upon his extradition, Brunette said.

Brunette said the breaking and entering crime occurred on Galatia Road near Pendleton.

“One of the victims (a relative of the homeowner) was close to the residence and heard his dogs barking,” she said.

When the victim looked toward the home he noticed a strange vehicle in the backyard. He then saw a man exit out a door of the home.

The victim got into his vehicle and by the time he returned to the residence the suspect’s vehicle was already fleeing the scene. The victim pursued in his vehicle.

Burnette said items allegedly stolen from the home by the suspects were three shot guns, one BB hand gun and three gun magazines.

Keeping the vehicle in sight, Burnette said the victim called 911, reported the crime and kept the NCSO informed about where the vehicle was heading.

Along the way the suspects began to throw weapons they allegedly stole from the home out of the window of the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo in which they were riding in.

Burnette said the weapons were recovered, but were damaged. The three gun magazines have not been found.

Once in Virginia, the suspects were pursued by officers from the Virginia State Police, the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office and the Boykins Police Department.

The chase ended on General Thomas Highway just east of Newsoms, Va. near the community of Gum.

“When officers arrived, one suspect (Braswell) was detained, he stayed in the vehicle,” said Burnette. “The other suspect ran into the woods.”

Braswell is currently being held by the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office as a fugitive from justice in connection with the crime Northampton County.

Richard Morris, the public information officer for the Southampton Sheriff’s Office, told the Tidewater News, a sister publication to the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, charges could be pending for Braswell in Virginia.

The escape of the other suspect, described as a white male in his 20s wearing blue jeans, a dark-colored shirt and green jacket, prompted an extensive search by Virginia law enforcement in which 15 officers and a K-9 unit participated. A helicopter from the Virginia State Police also scoured the scene for the suspect.

“Hopefully they will find him or we will receive more information about where he is,” said Detective Burnette.

Those with information about the crime can contact the NCSO at 534-2611 or the Northampton County Crime Stoppers at 534-1110.