IFN Staff
A Statesville man faces a felony charge in connection with the theft of an enclosed trailer containing thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Justin Michael Wilson, 40, of Phillips Lane, Statesville, in a news release Tuesday.
On November 6, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office contacted ICSO detectives and requested assistance locating stolen property connected to an ongoing investigation, Campbell said.
Cleveland County investigators reported that an enclosed trailer, which was stolen on November 5 from a business in their jurisdiction, was believed to be in the Statesville area, according to the news release. The trailer contained several thousand dollars worth of equipment.
During the investigation, Wilson was identified as a suspect, Campbell said.
Acting on information provided by Cleveland County investigators, ICSO detectives conducted follow-up inquiries and recovered the stolen trailer at the dead end of Free Nancy Avenue, according to the news release. The trailer and its contents were valued at approximately $28,000, the sheriff added.
Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, Detective S. Zalepka secured an arrest warrant charging Wilson with felony possession of stolen property.
ICSO deputies located Wilson on Tuesday. He was taken into custody and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Imes issued a $15,000 secured bond.
“Effective teamwork between law enforcement agencies is crucial in cases that extend beyond one county,” Campbell said. “With strong communication and shared resources, we can identify suspects, recover stolen property, and better safeguard the communities we serve.”
According to the ICSO, Wilson’s criminal history includes the following charges: Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Financial Card Fraud, Felony Financial Card Theft, two counts of Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, three counts of Felony Larceny, Felony Possession of Stolen Goods, Felony Malicious Conduct by Prisoner, Misdemeanor First Degree Trespass, Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering, Misdemeanor Conspiracy to Commit Financial Card Fraud, three counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, and Misdemeanor Criminal Contempt.