A 62-year-old man is in custody following a string of convenience-store robberies — where the culprit had one very specific item on his list.

Orange County Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Stewart arrested Richard Neverson of Durham earlier this week. Neverson faces 25 charges, including multiple counts of felony breaking and entering and felony larceny, with more charges likely to follow.

Neverson is accused of a four-month string of convenience-store break-ins across multiple counties. There were three break-ins in Orange County, plus others in Person County, Durham County, and Wake County, beginning in December of 2021 and running into this year.

Officials say there was one clear factor linking all the robberies together: in each case, the thief stole Newport cigarettes.

Why, specifically, Newport cigarettes? The investigation is still ongoing, but that particular brand has been in the news recently. Newport is the most popular brand of menthol (mint-flavored) cigarette — and last month, the FDA announced plans to prohibit menthol cigarettes, which researchers say appeal to young smokers and can be especially addictive.

In most of the break-ins, the culprit was wearing a face mask. But investigators recently got a break – when the suspect went maskless while breaking into a store in Cary that was equipped with security cameras.

Neverson is now in the Orange County Detention Center under a $66,000 bond. The investigation is still ongoing: call Investigator Stewart at 919-245-2925 if you have any information.

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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