Heavy Equipment Vandalism, Major Fraud, and Prison Weapons Top Sheriff’s Office Incident Log

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC — A massive vandalism incident causing $200,000 in damage to heavy construction equipment, a $200,000 fraud investigation, and multiple weapon discoveries inside local correctional facilities highlighted recent calls for the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. Between Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29, deputies responded to a broad array of complaints across the county, including residential break-ins, financial crimes, property damage, and the recovery of a stolen handgun.

Monday, September 28, 2026

• Heavy Equipment Vandalism & Trespassing (Tabor City): Reported at 8:33 a.m. at 1100 Miller Road; four juveniles (ages 12 to 15) were listed as suspects in causing $200,000 in damage to a John Deere bulldozer and a Caterpillar excavator; investigated by Sgt. Drew Zehnder.

• Weapon by Prisoner (Whiteville): Reported at 9:05 a.m. at the NC Department of Corrections (1255 Prison Camp Road) involving a shank/shiv; investigated by Deputy Nathan Gilbert.

• Found Methamphetamine (Tabor City): Reported at 1:10 p.m. at 355 Vinegar Loop Road; two clear bags containing a white crystal substance were turned in to law enforcement; handled by Sgt. Drew Zehnder.

• Trespass & Communicating Threats (Hallsboro): Reported at 2:01 p.m. at 3298 Sam Potts Highway; a 39-year-old male was listed as a suspect for threatening a victim with a blunt object/club; investigated by Deputy Timothy Harrington.

• Order for Arrest / Warrant Service (Whiteville): Executed at 3:10 p.m. at the Columbus County Detention Center (803 Washington Street) on a 24-year-old male by Deputy Timothy Harrington.

• CJIN Violation (Cerro Gordo): Reported at 3:10 p.m. at 167 Page Mill Road involving a 50-year-old male suspect; investigated by Deputy Nathan Gilbert.

• $200K Fraud & Embezzlement (Tabor City): Reported at 4:07 p.m. at 71 Watts Lewis Drive; victim reported $200,000 in money obtained by false pretenses/embezzlement; investigated by Deputy Nathan Gilbert.

• Larceny of Financial / Personal Cards (Whiteville): Reported at 5:54 p.m. at 345 Quail Drive; cash, a credit card, a Social Security card, and an ID card were stolen; investigated by Deputy Trae Marlow.

• Identity Theft (Whiteville): Reported at 6:56 p.m. at 11 Villa Drive; investigated by Deputy Da’Norie Mack.

• Breaking & Entering (Riegelwood): Reported at 19:19 p.m. at 442 Cemetery Road; automobile tires, rims, air conditioner window units, a TV, and a kicker box were stolen; investigated by Deputy Austin Inman.

• Possession of Stolen Firearm (Chadbourn): Reported at 7:40 p.m. at 2898 Joe Brown Highway South; a stolen Taurus G3C handgun belonging to the Durham Police Department was recovered; investigated by Deputy Da’Norie Mack.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

• False Pretenses / Swindle (Chadbourn): Reported at 7:52 a.m. at 2444 Williams Road involving $800 in cash; investigated by Deputy Allison S. Pierce.

• Possession of Weapon by Prisoner (Whiteville): Reported at 10:05 a.m. at 1255 Prison Camp Road; investigated by Sgt. Drew Zehnder.

• Warrant Service / Aiding & Abetting Larceny (Whiteville): Executed at 10:50 a.m. at NC Adult Corrections & Probation (123 Lee Avenue) on a 36-year-old male involving a Walmart larceny; handled by Cpl. Aaron Dehne.

All individuals named in this report are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.

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