IFN Staff
Two suspects face felony charges as a result of an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the theft of two vehicles.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Charles Nathan England, 53, of Winterfield Road, Statesville, and Shannon Glenn Fox, 55, of Westminster Drive, Statesville, in a news release Friday.
The Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation on May 12 after receiving a report of two stolen vehicles from a property located on East Barkley Road in Statesville, Campbell said.
The case was assigned to Detective I. Creasy with the Criminal Investigations Division. During the investigation, Detective Creasy interviewed witnesses who saw a white Dodge Ram pickup truck towing the stolen vehicles from the property. Further investigation revealed that both vehicles had been transported to a local metal recycling facility and sold, Campbell said.
Detective Creasy subsequently identified England as a suspect.
On Monday, May 18, Detective S. Zalepka, while following up on an unrelated investigation in the East Barkley Road area, observed a suspicious white Dodge Ram pickup parked in the driveway of an unoccupied residence with both doors standing open, Campbell said.
Detective Zalepka encountered England and Fox at the scene. Upon further investigation, it appeared the two individuals were actively removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked at the residence, according to the news release.
Both subjects were detained, and additional deputies responded to assist. A search of the truck led to the discovery of a catalytic converter in the truck bed, a battery-powered Sawzall, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, the sheriff said.
England and Fox were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for interviews before being taken to the Iredell County Detention Center.
England was charged with three counts of felony conspiracy, two counts of felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony obtain property by false pretense, felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense, and three misdemeanor drug offenses. He received an $85,000 secured bond issued by Magistrate Thompson.
Fox was charged with felony possession of a catalytic converter, felony larceny of motor vehicle parts, two counts of felony larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of felony conspiracy, felony obtain property by false pretense, felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense, and three misdemeanor drug offenses. He was held without bond due to being out on bond for pending charges.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.