Stolen drill leads to years behind bars for repeat offender

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Fayetteville man with an extensive criminal history has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to habitual larceny in New Hanover County.

Steven Nicholas Taylor, 32, entered a guilty plea Monday in New Hanover County Superior Court for stealing a drill from the Lowe’s Home Improvement store on College Road in July 2025.

Under North Carolina law, a person can be charged with habitual larceny after committing a larceny offense and having at least four prior larceny convictions.

According to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office, Taylor has a lengthy criminal record that includes multiple felony convictions for breaking and entering, larceny, robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Taylor also faces several pending charges in Cumberland County, including habitual felon status. Prosecutors said he was most recently arrested on June 21 on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of methamphetamine.

Following Monday’s guilty plea, Chief Superior Court Judge Kent Harrell sentenced Taylor as a habitual felon to an active prison term of 58 to 82 months.

Under North Carolina law, habitual felon status applies to defendants who have been convicted of three prior felony offenses. The designation can significantly increase the punishment for subsequent felony convictions.