FROM STAFF REPORTS
Two men face burglary and theft charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Christopher Gage Handy, 23, and Derek Kane Smith, 32, in a news release on Tuesday.
The ICSO began investigating on August 3, after patrol deputies responded to Shumaker Drive in reference to a golf cart which had been located hidden in the woods behind a residence.
When the deputies arrived on scene, they observed several tools on the golf cart. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene to assists with the investigation.
During the investigation, detectives canvassed the neighborhood, where they learned several of individuals had heard a golf cart in the area, but were unable to see who was driving the golf cart. The golf cart, along with the tools were seized. The golf cart was towed by Affordable Towing.
While reviewing reports, detectives learned that ICSO deputies had come into contact with a black golf cart in the area of Monticello Road in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 2. The two men on the golf cart were Handy and Smith, according to the news release.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2020, a representative of Affordable Towing called the ICSO to report a breaking and entering and larceny of the golf cart and the tools which had been recovered the previous day, Campbell said.
Detectives, and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the business. While checking the area, detectives located a black golf cart behind a building at 694 Turnersburg Highway. It was confirmed to be the golf cart was the same one stolen from Affordable Towing, Campbell said.
After discovering that Handy had resided at the address where the golf cart was located, detectives obtained a search warrant for the property to seize the golf cart and tools which had been stolen from Affordable Towing, according to the news release.
While continuing with the investigation, deputies received additional reports about other breaking and enterings in the area of Turnersburg Highway.
Detectives were able to identify stolen property which was seized during the search at Handy’s residence and returned these items to the owners, Campbell said. The value of the recovered property was $2,070.
Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Handy and Smith for felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering.
On Sunday, August 9, Handy was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention. He appeared before Magistrate Imes, who issued a $20,000 secure bond on these charges. Handy later received additional charges for two counts of felony breaking and entering, and two counts of felony larceny after breaking and entering, and felony interfering with a jail/prison fire system. He received an additional $46,000 secure bond on those charges.
On Wednesday, August 26, Smith was located by Warrant Squad deputies who were trying to serve warrants for two counts of felony breaking and entering, and felony larceny after breaking and entering. When the deputies approached the home, Smith climbed out of a window and fled on foot. After a short foot chase, he was taken into custody.
Smith was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Tutterrow issued a $20,000 secure bond on these charges.