Two arrested for break-ins, thefts in Columbus County
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Two people were arrested for their connection to multiple break-ins and stolen items in Columbus County.
According to a release, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office recovered multiple stolen items from the homes of the suspects on Saturday, April 14.
Officials said on April 11, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a home at 130 Ken Ray Drive in Tabor City was broken into. A firearm, an Apple iPad, foreign coins, lawn and garden power tools, and a purse were stolen.
On April 13, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a home at 6488 Lebanon Church Road in Tabor City was broken into. Two firearms, two laptops, a purse, a large flat screen television, power tools, documents, and photographs were stolen.
On April 13, a Tabor City resident contacted Columbus Central about a suspicious vehicle on his property. The vehicle was occupied by a man and a woman. When the resident questioned them about their reasons for being on the property, they said that they were looking for a place to take family portraits. Additional tips were received that day, concerning suspicious activity of the two individuals. Citizen tips helped determine the identity of the suspects.
On April 14, a Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on patrol when he noticed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle had a large box in the trunk area that was sticking out from underneath the trunk lid. The out of state tags on the vehicle did not match the make and model of the suspect vehicle. The deputy stopped the vehicle. Through his investigation, he determined the person of interest was at Whiteville Police Department for an interview about her involvement with stolen property from Walmart in Whiteville. The deputy responded to Whiteville Police Department and interviewed the woman. She gave consent for Columbus County Sheriff’s Office to search her home for stolen property.
On April 14, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office executed a consensual search of the home at 44 A B Godwin Drive in Whiteville. Columbus County Sheriff’s Office found numerous stolen items. New merchandise was also found. Those items are believed to have been stolen from Walmart in Whiteville. Personal bank account checks were also found. The checks belonged to two different victims.
Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division located and returned most of the stolen items. The stolen checks were returned to the owners of those accounts. The checks were stolen during two different unreported instances. The new merchandise that was located was turned over to Whiteville Police Department for their investigation. The Criminal Investigation Division is still working to locate the owners of additional stolen property.
This investigation is ongoing.
Angel Elizabeth Strickland was arrested and charged for the crimes. During the booking process, Schedule II and Schedule IV Controlled Substances were located concealed on the her body. She was also charged for those.
Bobby Ray Blackwell was also taken into custody and charged for his involvement.
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