Break-In Charges After Items Taken From Dead Man’s Home: Sheriff

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — Two Iredell County men are facing felony breaking and entering charges after taking tools, an aerator and a set of tires from the home of a recently deceased man in Statesville, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities were alerted to the alleged theft by a woman who told detectives she was the executor of her father’s estate, which included the home at 220 Deerfield Lane in Statesville and all its contents.

According to an ICSO report on the incident, the items were worth more than $1,400 and were taken between May 30 and June 3.

She told deputies that all her father’s property was to be held as the estate until debts were settled, but that some items had been taken from the home. “There were no signs of forced entry into the home, and it appeared to investigators whoever went into the house used a key to get inside,” ICSO said.

When detectives went to the neighborhood, it didn’t take them long to find some of the items, according to the ICSO report. A lawn aerator than had been listed as stolen was sitting in the yard at 198 Deerfield Lane, the residence of Kenneth James Johnson, 56. Next door, at 190 Deerfield Lane, detectives found the set of tires that had been listed as stolen lying in tall grass.

“The homeowner said the tires were put in the grass by Sam McCrary,” 44, and of Cleveland. “The homeowner said McCrary had told him the tires were his and asked to leave them there until he could get them.”

After detectives located and interviewed Johnson, he returned the items taken from the home and gave investigators contact information for McCrary.

“McCray admitted to taking the tires,” and claimed they were his, however could not produce any proof, ICSO said. McCrary also returned a bag of tools taken from the home.

Johnson was charged with one count of felony breaking and entering; one count of felony larceny after breaking and entering; and one count of first-degree trespassing. His unsecured bond was set at $15,000.

McCrary was also charged with one count of felony breaking and entering; one count of felony larceny after breaking and entering; and one count of first-degree trespassing His unsecured bond was set at $10,000.