Tennessee trio accused of renting properties short-term, 'terrorizing all nearby communities'

MARSHALL, NC (WSMV) – Three suspects from Tennessee are in custody in North Carolina following an investigation into multiple burglaries and vehicle thefts in several different states.

According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina, residents of the Laurel and Mars Hill communities have been victims of numerous vehicle and residential burglaries in recent weeks.

An investigation was launched and numerous sting operations led to the arrests of Noah Lee Runyon, 19, Kevin Phillip Craig, 39, and Breanna Nicole Leach, 19, last weekend. The trio is believed to be responsible for countless vehicle burglaries and gun thefts across four states, according to the Madison County Sheriff.

Surveillance of the three suspects showed they would book short-term rental properties in various states or counties and begin committing crimes in nearby communities, the sheriff's office reported. The sheriff said their latest jaunt to Madison County, North Carolina, was based on a short-term rental in Barnardsville.

Runyon is charged with 24 counts of burglary and vehicle theft, among other counts, and was ordered held on $363,500 bail.

Craig faces 14 counts of burglary and vehicle theft and numerous other charges. He was ordered held on $274,000 bail.

Leach is looking into 11 counts of burglary and vehicle theft, in addition to several other charges. She is on $162,000 bail.

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