One Wilkes County resident is in custody and another is still wanted for alleged connection in a string of break-ins that occurred in Ashe County during April and May.

Alisha Kay Wells, 24, and Joseph Neal Hamad, 31, are suspects in a series of break-ins that occurred in Todd, Scottsville, and Bear Creek in April and May, Ashe County Sheriff James Williams said. Wells has since been incarcerated and is under a $64,000 bond in the Ashe County Jail and Hamad is still at large. He is wanted as an absconder from his probation status from a crime he committed in 1998.

Wells’ arrest stems from a May traffic stop in Alleghany County.

Wells and another Wilkes County woman, Jessica Byers Bell, 29, were arrested on May 28 by Alleghany County authorities when they were found in possession of suspected stolen items from homes in the area. Hamad, who was believed to be the third person in that traffic stop, fled the scene and has since eluded capture, authorities say.

Hamad has a lengthy criminal record that stretches back to 1998 when he was arrested for robbery. He was more recently convicted of possessing and receiving stolen goods in March in Wilkes County.

Anyone who may have more information on Hamad or his whereabouts can anonymously contact Ashe County Crimestoppers at 846-4188.