A Pinehurst woman has been charged in connection with two break-ins reported by village residents, Moore County Sheriff Lane Carter reported.

Melanie Dawn Mendonca, 30, of 112 Passion Lane, Pinehurst, was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of felony breaking and entering, two counts of felony larceny after breaking and entering and two counts of felony possession of stolen goods. Mendonca was confined in the Moore County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for March 28 in Moore County district court.

Pinehurst Police have also charged Mendonca in connection with five break-ins in the village, Police Chief Earl Phipps said.

Southern Pines also charged Mendonca with three counts of felony breaking and entering and three counts of misdemeanor larceny in connection with daytime burglaries that occurred between March 8, 2013 and March 10, 2013 in the 300 block of E. Maine Avenue, 400 block of E. Ohio Avenue and 200 block W. Iowa Avenue Southern Pines, North Carolina.

The arrest by Sheriff's investigators stemmed from an investigation into a report on March 10 by Sadie Brewer of a break-in. Brewer advised she had left her residence during the morning hours to attend church. When she returned home she found someone had entered her home and had taken her medication.

Sheriff’s Investigators were able to determine the suspect and also found she had broken into another residence in the Pinehurst area. Mrs. Roberta Saunders reported her break-in to investigators on March 11, 2013 just prior to the arrest of the suspect. Her property had been taken from a storage building behind the residence and was recovered a short time later.

The charges brought by Pinehurst police resulted from an investigation into burglaries conducted by Master Patrol Officer Michael Ebel. Ebel identified Mendonca as a subject in the break-ins. Officer Paul Leroy located her vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Leroy was able to see several items related to the break-ins in plain view in the vehicle, Phipps said.

Mendonca was taken into custody and interviewed by investigators from Pinehurst PD and Aberdeen PD for the suspected crimes. A subsequent search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of several items belonging to the Pinehurst Break ins as well as from incidents that occurred in Aberdeen and Moore County.

Medonca was charged with breaking, entering and larceny of residences located in the following neighborhoods: 700 block of Monticello Drive, Bridle Path Circle, Holly Pines Drive, Beasley Drive, and the 200 block of McKenzie Road.