Two arrested in Columbus County after trespassing complaint leads to larceny, drug charges

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC(WWAY) — Two people were arrested Saturday after a trespassing complaint at a farm in Evergreen led deputies to suspected narcotics and stolen property, according to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they responded Feb. 14 to a report of trespassing along Edmund Road. The property owner told authorities he spotted a vehicle on his land through a recently installed camera system and said the same vehicle had been warned earlier in the week to stay off the property after scrap metal was reported missing.

When deputies arrived, they said they saw a man loading scrap metal into the vehicle. Officials said the man was unable to provide the property owner’s name or show that he had permission to be there.

Deputies also reported seeing suspected narcotics in plain view during the investigation.

Authorities detained both occupants of the vehicle, identified as Kenneth Garrett Bowen and Valerie Pittman Bowen. Deputies said suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found on them and inside the vehicle, along with receipts from a metal recycling facility.

The Bowens were each charged with felony larceny, second-degree trespass, felony possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies said the vehicle was seized and towed, and the scrap metal was returned to the property owner.