Reward aids in arrest

Published 4:14 pm Monday, February 23, 2009

AHOSKIE – Brian Kenton Valentine, 24, has joined seven others charged in an October 3, 2008 break-in.

Valentine’s whereabouts were made known to the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office after a reward was offered for his capture. The $500 reward was published in this newspaper as an advertisement on Saturday, February 14 and Thursday, February 12.

“Someone who had learned about the reward called and turned him in,” Sheriff Juan Vaughan said. “They told us exactly where he was.”

Vaughan said the HCSO had been seeking Valentine in connection with a break-in in the Brantley’s Grove community which landed seven other people behind bars as well. They were Christopher Shane Parker, Thomas Jermaine Valentine, Nikkita Chennelle Edwards, Keven Kountrae Edwards, Travis Lamont Cofield, Carlos M. Slade and Cordy Alexander Powell.

Valentine was taken into custody on Baker Street in Ahoskie by Hertford County Sheriff’s Office Major Tim Lassiter. He was charged with 10 counts of larceny of a firearm, two counts of safecracking and one count each of breaking and entering, felonious larceny, possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a felon. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals.

Valentine is confined in the Hertford County Detention Center under a $905,000 secured bond. He made his first court appearance Friday.

“We’re glad to now have each of the suspects in this case arrested,” Sheriff Vaughan said. “We’re glad we got the information we needed to make the arrest.”