Durham Man Arrested in Connection to Chatham County Vehicle Break-In and Multi-Jurisdiction Crime Spree

CRIME

By Chatham County Sheriff’s Office

A Durham man is facing multiple felony charges following a vehicle break-in and theft that occurred in Chatham County, as well as a string of related offenses across several jurisdictions.

On May 30, 2025, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle break-in at a commercial area at 50201 Governors Drive in Chapel Hill. The victim reported that personal items, including financial cards, had been stolen from the vehicle.

Shortly after the incident, the stolen credit and debit cards were used at Walmart at 12500 US 15/501, Chapel Hill in north Chatham County. The store’s surveillance footage helped investigators identify the suspect as Dekenneth Mileek Covington, 26, of 1126 S. Hoover Street in Durham.

Further investigation revealed Covington’s involvement in additional vehicle break-ins in other jurisdictions.

Law enforcement efforts to apprehend Covington led to multiple dangerous encounters. During an attempt by the Garner Police Department to arrest him, Covington fled and rammed patrol vehicles during the pursuit. On June 22, 2025, North Carolina State Highway Patrol initiated another traffic stop; Covington again fled and, during the chase, reportedly climbed through the sunroof of his vehicle with the aid of a passenger and fired a weapon at pursuing Troopers.

Covington was ultimately apprehended without further incident and taken into custody at the Lee County Detention Center, where he was served with numerous outstanding warrants.

“This effort is a strong example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “From the initial investigation in Chatham County to the coordinated work that led to the suspect’s arrest, it took teamwork, communication, and persistence across jurisdictions to bring this individual into custody.”

Covington is charged in Chatham County with felony breaking/entering a motor vehicle with theft; three counts of felony financial card theft; felony financial card fraud; felony identity theft; felony obtaining property by false pretense; and misdemeanor injury to personal property.

He is being held on a $50,000.00 secured bond for the Chatham County charges. His total secured bond for all charges and jurisdictions amounts to $1,415,000.00. Covington is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on July 7, 2025.