Major theft investigation leads to multiple arrests in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC — Several people face charges connected to a stolen vehicle and other crimes.

Around noon on July 16, Chadbourn police officers notified the sheriff’s office about a black Chevrolet Silverado that had been reported stolen. The vehicle was identified by a License Plate Recognition camera and found behind Pawn South at 218 N. Brown St. in Chadbourn.

Officers detained the vehicle’s occupants, William Wallace Delaney and Crystal Gayle Long. Inside the truck, authorities say they found multiple firearms, including a Diamondback AR-15 rifle, a Diamondback AR-15 pistol, a Glock 26 pistol, and a Taurus semi-automatic handgun, as well as $6,200 in cash.

Investigators say the suspects were attempting to pawn a large gold bracelet when they were caught. Delaney and Long were transported to the Columbus County Jail. A search of the truck revealed narcotics that tested positive for cocaine. During interviews, Delaney and Long gave conflicting statements about their involvement and the ownership of the stolen items and narcotics.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, investigators confirmed that William Wallace Delaney was actually James Andrew Delaney, born August 20, 1989. Delaney faced additional charges for providing false information to law enforcement. Further investigations linked Long and Delaney to other crimes, including the theft of financial transaction cards, firearms, and a zero-turn lawnmower with Summer Reagan Malpass. Warrants were issued for their arrests, and all individuals faced multiple felony charges.

On August 1, 2024, Delaney, Long, and Malpass were taken into custody. They were charged with the following:

• Crystal Gail Long: 10 counts of financial card theft, 1 count of exploitation of a disabled/elderly person, 4 counts of possession of stolen property, 3 counts of larceny of a firearm, and 1 count of felony larceny
• James Andrew Delaney: 10 counts of financial card theft, 3 counts of larceny of a firearm, 3 counts of possession of stolen property, and 2 counts of felony conspiracy
• Summer Raegan Malpass: 1 count of felony larceny, 1 count of possession of stolen property, and 1 count of conspiracy to commit felony larceny. She also faces charges for a previous driving while impaired and speeding warrant from September 5, 2022, by the NC State Highway Patrol Troop B District 5

Bonds were set at $60,000 for Long, $60,000 for Delaney, and $12,000 for Malpass.