FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office detectives are searching for a convicted felon who is a suspect in a break-in and larceny. A second suspect has been arrested,

Timothy Becker
Dustin Owensby

Dustin Blaine Owensby, 34, of Ridge Creek Drive, Troutman, faces charges in connection with the break-in and larceny at 1059 Elmwood Road east of Statesville, according to an ICSO news release.

On Tuesday, March 22, patrol deputies responded to that address and spoke with the victim, who reported that several new power tools had been stolen from a storage building during the night, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in the news release.

The victim told deputies he had located the power tools in a hay barn located at the end of the driveway near Elmwood Road. The deputies believed the suspects could return to the barn to collect the stolen property, Campbell said.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division were then notified of the incident. The victim removed the power tools from their original boxes and replaced them with heavy pieces of wood to trick the suspects.

Later in the evening communications received a call from the victim advising the suspects had returned, Campbell said.

Deputies and Detective J. Graves, who were standing by a short distance away, responded immediately after receiving the call, according to the news release.

When they arrived, Timothy John Becker, 53, of Mooresville was located in the suspect vehicle. His passenger, later identified as Dustin Owensby, fled on foot as the deputies were arriving, Campbell said.

Based on the evidence gathered along with witness statements, Becker was arrested and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Breaking and Entering, Larceny after Breaking, and Entering, and Misdemeanor Larceny. He received a $2,500 secured bond.

Detectives obtained warrants charging Owensby with Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering, Felony Conspiracy to Commit Felony Breaking, and Entering, Misdemeanor Larceny, and Misdemeanor First-Degree Trespass. Dustin Blaine Owensby also has active arrest warrants for Probation Violation.

Anyone with information on Owensby’s whereabouts is asked to call the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100 or Iredell County Crime Stoppers at 704-662-1340.