FROM STAFF REPORTS
A Statesville woman faces nearly a dozen charges in connection with the theft of two vehicles after being apprehended by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies following a pursuit earlier this week.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Samantha Ann Kesler, 37, of South Center Street, Statesville in a news release Thursday morning.
On Monday, August 29, Deputy C. Moncus responded to the Home Run Market located at 583 Turnersburg Highway for a report of a larceny of a semi-truck with a trailer, Campbell said. Witnesses at the store said the truck was last seen traveling on Jane Sowers Road.
Deputies responded to the area in an attempt to locate the stolen vehicle but were unsuccessful.
Later Monday afternoon, patrol deputies received a call about a vehicle being operated in a reckless manner on River Hill Road in eastern Iredell County, according to the news release.
When the deputies arrived in the area, they received information about a truck that had been stolen from 738 River Hill Road, Campbell said.
Sergeant L. Hayes spotted the truck, which was being driven erratically, at the intersection of River Hill Road and Mocksville Highway. When Hayes attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver — later identified as Kesler — failed to stop, according to the news release.
After a pursuit, deputies were able to get the vehicle stopped on Sain Road. Kesler was arrested on the scene.
As the investigation continued, deputies obtained evidence that Kesler had broken into a motor vehicle to attempt to steal it, Campbell said. Kesler then broke into a garage and stole a set of truck keys used to steal the truck, which had a gun inside it, according to the news release.
When the victim approached Kesler to get her to stop, Kesler drove toward the victim aggressively in an attempt to run over the victim over, Campbell said. The victim was able to avoid being stuck.
The tractor trailer and the other vehicle were returned to the owners. The deputies were able to recover $34,500 worth of stolen property.
Kesler was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where she was charged with two counts of Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Breaking or Entering, Felony Larceny after Breaking or Entering, Felony Breaking or Entering to a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny of a Firearm, Misdemeanor Damage to Property, Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misdemeanor Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor Careless and Reckless, Infraction Failure to at Stop Light, Infraction Passing on Double Yellow.
Magistrate Callejas issued a $53,000 secured bond on the charges.