Two arrested for property damage to closed down school

BLADEN COUNTY (WWAY) — Brandon Johnson Inman and Forrest Ray Kelly are both charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny, after reports of property damage to the recently shuttered East Arcadia Primary School.

According to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, twelve AC units missing or destroyed as well as a large quantity of copper pipe and wires cut and stripped from the interior of the building on August 26.

Investigators asked nearby residents, who said they saw two white males in a grey Jeep with a trailer leave the property.

On August 31, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office contacted investigators an anonymous caller claimed Inman and Kelly were responsible for the breaking and entering.

On September first, a Bladen County Schools Maintenance member reported another theft on two outdoor AC units at East Arcadia Primary school.

That same day, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Inman’s property, where several stolen items were identified.

Both Inman and Kelly face the following charges:

• Felony Breaking and Entering
• Felony Larceny

Inman is being held under a $200,000 bond at the Bladen County Detention Center.

Kelly is being held without bond at the Columbus County Detention Center.

The investigation remains ongoing.