Pender County men accused of making up kidnapping

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two men made up a story that drug dealers kidnapped one of them and threatened to kill him unless they received $60, according to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a news release, David Eugene Lee of Rocky Point and Christopher Logan Haltom of Burgaw are charged with obtaining property by false pretenses, filing a false police report and resisting, delaying and obstructing law enforcement officers.

Investigators say the men concocted a story that drug dealers kidnapped Lee and wanted $60 from Lee’s elderly mother or he would be killed.

Investigators say the false report tied up deputies, detectives and 911 dispatchers for several hours until they determined the story was false.

Both Lee and Haltom received a $5,000 bond.

A third person is expected to be charged for her role. Other charges may be pending against all three at a later time.