IFN Staff

Two men suspected of damaging coin-operated machines and stealing hundreds of dollars from a Harmony car wash face a slew of charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Jason Lyle Padgett, 53, and Carl Adrian Miles, 34, both of Curt Road in Union Grove, in a news release Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating on February 19 after receiving several reports of break-ins and vandalism at the car wash located at 144 E. Memorial Highway in Harmony. Detective R. Vargas led the investigation, which involved detectives conducting surveillance and deploying video equipment at the business to identify the suspects.

On October 8, another theft occurred during daylight hours with approximately $600 in coins being stolen, Campbell said. Surveillance footage captured two white male suspects in a red Kia Soul posing as customers while breaking into a machine, according to the news release.

The suspects were subsequently identified as Padgett and Miles, the sheriff said.

Warrants were issued for both men for misdemeanor breaking and entering a coin-operated machine and misdemeanor larceny. As the investigation continued, additional evidence connected them to earlier incidents at the same business dating back to February, leading to additional charges being filed, Campbell said.

Miles faces two counts of felony breaking and entering and two counts of felony larceny. Padgett faces two counts of felony aid and abet.

Miles was arrested on October 9 and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Nicholson issued a $30,000 secured bond.

Padgett was arrested on October 10 and given a $12,000 secured bond by Magistrate Watkins.