Published: 12:56 PM, 11/06/2009

Last updated: 12:54 PM, 11/17/2009

By: staff reports

The Watauga County Sheriff's Office has charged two Boone men in connection with the breaking and entering of numerous unoccupied homes.

On Nov. 3 and 4, the sheriff's office began to receive reports of several unoccupied homes being unlawfully entered, during the day, where numerous items were taken.

Many of these homes were located on North Pine Run Road, Hopewell Church Road, Ridge Road, Raven Rock Road, Tom Jackson Road, Meat Camp Road, Sunny Chestnut Forest and N.C. 194 North.

According to Sheriff Len Hagaman, the Watauga County Sheriff's Office of Criminal Investigation and the Uniformed Patrol and Security Sections conducted an intense and coordinated investigation.

As a result of this coordination, Deputy Aaron Billings observed a vehicle and driver similar to descriptions given by citizens in the Meat Camp area. Billings initially observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and performed a traffic stop of the vehicle, with the assistance of additional officers. Following this concentrated effort, two individuals were charged and arrested.

Patrick Dale Yeoman, 20, of 140 Goshen Creek Road, Boone, was charged with 11 counts of Breaking and Entering, 11 counts of larceny after breaking and entering, and two counts of possessing stolen property.

Yeoman was taken before a Watauga County magistrate and given a $70,000 bond and a court date of Jan. 7, 2010.

Leonard Dale Holman Jr., 28, of 139 Hensel's Lane, Boone, was charged with 11 counts of breaking and entering, 11 counts of larceny after breaking and entering and two counts of possessing stolen property.

Holman was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate and given a $75,000 bond and a court date of Jan. 7.

Hagaman said a number of items reported stolen from the residences were subsequently recovered by officers from the Watauga County Sheriff's Office. Some of the recovered items included 47- and 42-inch HD televisions, laptop computers, game cartridges, X-Box and PlayStation gaming consoles, DVD and DVR Recorders, jewelry and firearms.

"I am extremely pleased with this arrest and the recovery of many of the stolen items," Hagaman said. "I am also very pleased with the vigilance of both the deputies and our citizens. It is important that we continue to have the public's cooperation, support and willingness to be good neighbors in their respective communities and Watauga County."