FROM STAFF REPORTS
Two suspects have been charged with stealing property from James River Equipment following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced in a news release that charges are pending against Kenyatta Odinga Lindsey, 49, of Charlotte and Maurice Andros Wilson, 38, of Monroe.
On Tuesday, February 18, the ICSO received a report of a larceny at James River Equipment, which is located at 635 Mocksville Highway near Statesville.
The business reported multiple John Deere lawnmowers, Gators, and zero turn lawnmowers had been damaged. It was later determined a 2019 John Deere zero turn lawnmower had been stolen from the business, Campbell said.
The case was assigned to Detective Craig Scannella for further investigation. After pursuing numerous leads, Detective Scannella discovered similarities between this crime and others carried out by a group of six or more individuals who had been involved with similar thefts in the Charlotte area as well as South Carolina and Georgia, Campbell sad.
As part of the investigation, Scannella met with personnel from other agencies to compare evidence, facts and information. Investigators were able to identify the two suspects involved in the James River Equipment incident in Iredell County as Lindsey and Wilson, according to the news release.
Scannella obtained warrants for the arrest of both suspects.
Lindsey is currently being detained by the U.S. Marshals Service for federal probation violation. He has not yet been served with his warrant.
Wilson, who is currently in custody at the Mecklenburg County Jail on related warrants, was served with the Iredell County arrest warrant by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. He received a $10,000 secured bond.
These two individuals, along with six other members of this group have been charged in connection with multiple breaking, entering, and larcenies in reference to these incidents across multiple jurisdictions.
“It is always good when we can work with other law enforcement agencies to collaborate on information and evidence to be able to make solid cases, which result in the arrest of criminals like these two career felons and their associates,” Campbell said. “Small, mobile groups of criminals like these can cause a lot of harm to businesses and citizens across a large area if not identified and arrested.”