New Kent, Charles City authorities join other localities, feds in smashing burglary ring

(L to R) Benjamin Potter, William Lawrence Paige, and James Tracy Thomas all accepted plea deals during Sept. 14 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.

Law enforcement personnel in several jurisdictions, including New Kent and Charles City counties, working in conjunction with federal authorities have smashed a burglary ring that is said to have inundated the Richmond Metro area with multiple break-ins and thefts, firearms in particular.

Three suspects already have been indicted by a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury that convened earlier in March. Now, federal indictments could be on the horizon since the ATF is involved in the matter, said New Kent Detective Lt. Joey McLaughlin. The trio allegedly sold stolen firearms on the streets of Richmond, he said.

Both Benjamin Potter, 37, of the 9300 block of Horsecastle Court in Glen Allen, and William Lawrence Paige, 52, on the 1300 block of Burma Court in Richmond, have been indicted in New Kent on four counts each of burglary, grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, and conspiracy to commit grand larceny along with one count of credit card theft. James Tracy Thomas, 52, of the 3300 block of Meadowbridge Road in Richmond, has been indicted on one count each of the same charges.

The charges stem from four home burglaries that occurred in New Kent during January and February. Besides firearms and credit cards, items stolen include jewelry, knives, power tools and equipment, and computer/video game systems.

Potter and Paige, meanwhile, face charges of burglary, grand larceny, and conspiracy in Charles City, McLaughlin said. Thomas has not been charged in that county.

McLaughlin also said more charges could be placed against the trio and more arrests in connection with the burglary ring are expected.

And New Kent and Charles City apparently are not the only localities targeted by the ring. The suspects have been connected to similar crimes in Henrico, Hanover, and King William counties as well as Richmond city.

“All three face pending federal firearms charges from all the jurisdictions involved,” McLaughlin said, adding that the trio has been held in jail for some time and New Kent indictments on all three were served today.

A press release issued by the sheriff’s office said the burglary ring struck tool sheds as well as houses, stealing multiple firearms, electronics, jewelry, power tools, and cash. The release labeled the trio as “primary suspects” and said the investigation is “on-going with charges pending against several other co-conspirators.”