FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two men face felony charges in connection with the theft of construction equipment following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Noah Daniel Garrett, 26, and Virgil Jackson Garrett, 63, both of Glimmering Sands Lane, Conover, in a news release on Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation in early September after receiving a fraud report from a local business involving a high-value piece of equipment. On June 6, Noah and Virgil Garrett of Garrett and Sons Construction rented an excavator valued at over $100,000, according to the news release. Despite the agreed-upon return date, the men failed to return the excavator, and all attempts to contact them were unsuccessful, the sheriff said.

During the investigation, ICSO Detective T. Henderson learned the excavator was equipped with a GPS tracker, which showed the machine was located in Northern Iredell County. Detectives responded to the location and recovered the excavator.

Further investigation revealed that the person in possession of the machine had purchased it through Facebook Marketplace from Noah and Virgil Garrett for $38,000 in cash.

As Detective Henderson continued the investigation, he discovered that Noah and Virgil Garrett had rented additional equipment from the same rental company with the intention of defrauding other victims, Campbell said.

So far, four other pieces of machinery have been recovered by surrounding law enforcement agencies, and those cases remain under investigation, according to the news release.

Based on the evidence in the ICSO investigation, Detective Henderson obtained warrants charging Noah and Virgil with Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, Felony Conspiracy to Obtain Property by False Pretenses, and Felony Conversion by Bailee.

Noah Garrett was located and arrested in Catawba County on September 9 by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. He appeared before Magistrate Saunders, who issued a $70,000 secured bond.

Virgil Garrett was located and arrested on September 11, by the same agency. Due to having pending charges in Catawba County, he was denied bond by Magistrate Saunders.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office urges the community to use caution when purchasing items through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Verify the legitimacy of the seller, request proper documentation, and conduct transactions in public / safe areas. Scams involving stolen property are common, but taking these precautions can help protect you from being a victim.