FROM STAFF REPORTS

Four suspects face numerous charges following a multi-agency investigation into several larcenies in Iredell and Yadkin counties.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of the following suspects in a news release on Thursday:

♦ Jonathan Ray Lowman, 36, of Lundy Road, Statesville;

♦ Brandon Hugh Bell, 26, of Lundy Road, Statesville;

♦ Dakota Ray Ferguson, 26, of County Line Road, Harmony; and

♦ Marie Cleary Dugger, 47, of Hatteras Trail, Hamptonville

The suspects were arrested on October 19 after ICSO criminal investigators executed a search warrant at 340 Lundy Road in northern Iredell County, according to the news release. This search warrant resulted from several weeks of investigation by investigators into several reported larcenies of vehicles and motor from farms and rural residences throughout northern Iredell County, Campbell said.

On October 11, Sgt. C. Little stopped a white Ford Mustang in the area of Lundy Road for a traffic violation. The vehicle was operated by Bell, who said he was living at 340 Lundy Road, according to the news release. At the time of the vehicle stop, nothing was found to be out of the ordinary with the vehicle, and Sgt. Little issued Bell a citation for traffic violations and he was released, Campbell said.

On October 19, ICSO investigators were contacted by the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office. Yadkin County advised the Ford Mustang Sgt. Little had stopped had been reported stolen to their agency, according to the news release. The owner of the Mustang had been out of town for several weeks and returned to his home in Yadkin County to discover the vehicle had been stolen, according to the news release. The same individual also reported several other items, including tools and vehicle parts, had been stolen.

With the information obtained from the investigation, investigators secured a search warrant for the property located at 340 Lundy Road. When deputies and investigators arrived at the residence, they located Lowman, Bell, Ferguson, and Dugger.

During the search, numerous items were located, including vehicle parts that had been recently removed from various vehicles, car batteries, numerous tools, and the stolen white Ford Mustang, which had been hidden in a barn on the property, according to the news release. A quantity of methamphetamine was also found inside the home, Campbell said.

Yadkin County detectives responded to the scene and identified several of the tools and vehicle parts that were stolen in their jurisdiction, according to the news release. 

All four individuals were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where they were charged with the following:

Jonathan Ray Lowman was charged with Felony Alter or Destroy Stolen Motor Vehicle Parts (Chop Shop Activity), Felony Possession of Stolen Property, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance, and Felony Conspiracy. Lowman was given a $100,000 secured bond by Magistrate Callejas. At the time of his arrest, Lowman was free on bond from charges earlier this year. These charges are Felony Possession of Stolen Property, Felony Possession of Heroin, Felony Breaking and Entering, and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Brandon Hugh Bell was charged with Felony Alter or Destroy Stolen Motor Vehicle Parts (Chop Shop Activity), Felony Possession of Stolen Property, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Felony Conspiracy. Bell was issued a $25,000 secured bond by Magistrate Callejas.

Dakota Ray Ferguson was charged with Felony Alter or Destroy Stolen Motor Vehicle Parts (Chop Shop Activity), Felony Possession of Stolen Property, and Felony Conspiracy. Ferguson was issued a $15,000 secured bond by Magistrate Callejas.

Marie Cleary Dugger was charged with Felony Alter or Destroy Stolen Motor Vehicle Parts (Chop Shop Activity), Felony Possession of Stolen Property, and Felony Conspiracy. Dugger was issued a $15,000 secured bond by Magistrate Callejas.

This investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges are anticipated.

Since May 4 Lowman has been charged with over 30 new offenses, including 20 new felony charges and a probation violation. He was under a total of $92,000 secured bond.

On October 19, while on probation and out of pretrial release, Lowman was charged with 11 new Felony Offenses. He was placed under $100,000 secured and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center.

On October 20, Lowman appeared before District Court Judge Ed Hedrick for his first appearance on these new charges. Judge Hedrick lowered Lowman’s secured bond from $100,000 to $50,000.

Lowman was served with six additional felony charges, and his bond was increased to $100,000 secured. Lowman posted the secured bond and was released from the Detention Center on Monday, October 24.

ICSO detectives gathered additional evidence and obtained warrants charging Lowman with four Felony Counts of Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts. The Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office also issued an arrest warrant charging Lowman with Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle.

Lowman has been entered in law enforcement databases as a Fugitive from Justice by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. If you know where Lowman can be located, please call the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100.