Suspected gang members charged in string of Union Co. restaurant burglaries

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies in Union County have arrested two Charlotte teenagers, charging them in connection with several restaurant burglaries from last year.

Investigators said that during September and October of 2017, seven restaurants in the county were burglarized after hours. The suspects were able to get into the businesses by using large rocks and bricks to break the glass.

Once inside, the suspects stole cash and sometimes cash drawers from registers before taking off in a dark-colored SUV, detectives said.

Earlier this month, Monroe police arrested Kirkpatrick, 17. Investigators then identified Nicholes, also 17, as an accomplice.

On Tuesday, deputies announced that two Charlotte teens, Zion Kirkpatrick and Nathaniel Nicholes, were in the Union County Jail facing charges in connection with the crimes.

Detectives said the pair are members of the Milton Road gang in Charlotte and suspect other gang members may be involved in the burglaries.

Kirkpatrick and Nicholes face numerous counts of felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy, and injury to personal property.

Helping the Union County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation, which is still ongoing, were the Monroe Police Department, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Bessemer City Police Department.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office filed charges for burglaries at the following businesses:

Brooklyn Pizza in Wesley Chapel
Hungry Howies in Indian Trail
New York Pizza and Pasta in Indian Trail
Firehouse Subs in Indian Trail
Pizza Palace in Indian Trail
Jack's Pizza in Indian Trail
China II in Indian Trail
Chokh Di Noodle in Indian Trail

Detectives with the Monroe Police Department filed charges against the teens for several other restaurant burglaries occurring in their jurisdiction. That list has not yet been made available.

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