Couple arrested after string of thefts at electric substationsFeb 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - J. Reynolds Hutchins The News Herald, Morganton, N.C.
Two suspects have been arrested and charged for a string of larcenies that have plagued Burke County electrical substations for the past four months. After 16 break-ins, more than $6,395 worth of stolen copper and more than $8,560 in damage, police reported Wednesday said they had arrested the culprits behind the crime spree. Michael Eugene Wright, 47, of Casar Road, Lawndale and Ashley Nicole Dalton, 28, of Shuffler Road, Morganton were escorted to the Burke County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, charged with one count each of felony first-degree trespassing, breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods and obtaining property by false pretenses. The first substation break-in was reported by Rutherford Electric Company in November of last year. An investigation by officers with the Burke County Sheriff's Office revealed that the suspect, or suspects, entered the substation by cutting through locks and gates on Rutherford Electric property and proceeded to remove uncoiled copper from within. Between Nov. 26 and Feb. 13, 15 more break-ins were reported at Rutherford Electric and Duke Energy substations across the county. Break-ins and thefts were also reported at substations in nearby Cleveland, Catawba and Lincoln Counties. Although the Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division had attempted to catch the subjects with surveillance equipment, efforts had been fruitless until Wednesday -- more than 11 weeks since the original break-in. "Detectives and CID had developed a plan to try and catch these people," Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said Thursday, "but ended up going to another substation and found out it was broken into and caught them at the scrap dealers selling metal." The pair was taken into custody and jailed at the Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility under two $35,000 secured bonds. Thursday afternoon, authorities reported that Dalton was cooperating with law enforcement, offering to show detectives the substations she and Wright had broken in. Wright has denied his involvement in the crimes. Whisenant said the two were reportedly in a relationship. Escorted by Det. Stephen Richie into the Burke County Sheriff's Office Thursday afternoon, Dalton told reporters and law enforcement that she had been forced to aid and abet Wright's criminal behavior. "I was stuck with him," Dalton said. "What do you say when you've tried to commit suicide five times and you've tried to get him to get me to a shelter and he wouldn't?" Wright refused to admit any knowledge of the crimes. "Not guilty" was his only comment. Wright and Dalton are expected to have their first appearance in court Monday. Whisenant said Thursday that additional charges are pending further investigation. "Our CID and patrol worked hand-in-hand and we have really put a lot of effort and time into this," the sheriff said. "The cost to the taxpayer is significant compared to what (Dalton and Wright) actually got. They get about $100 worth of copper out of one break-in, they've had 16 of these in Burke County, so say $1,600. There's no telling how much that cost the taxpayer. And I hope the court takes that into consideration." morgantonnewsherald.nc.newsmemory.com/ http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=27594180 |