WHITEVILLE, NC — A Whiteville man was taken into custody on Monday following a joint law enforcement search warrant execution connected to the theft of industrial air conditioning units from a local business.
According to a press release issued by Whiteville Police Chief Paul D. Rockenbach, officers requested the assistance of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office on October 26, 2026, to execute a search warrant at 212 Slippery Log Road in Whiteville. The warrant was served as part of an ongoing investigation into the larceny of two industrial air conditioning units stolen from Gurganus inside the Whiteville city limits.
As a result of the joint operation, James Richard Ward Jr., 46, was arrested and charged with:
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Breaking and/or Entering a Motor Vehicle
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Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
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Misdemeanor Larceny
Police Address Social Media Rumors
In the statement, Chief Rockenbach specifically addressed online speculation and rumors circulating on social media regarding the location of the search warrant.
“We want to clarify that the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the correct residence, within its jurisdiction, at the request of and in coordination with the Whiteville Police Department,” Rockenbach stated.
Police clarified that Ward was apprehended in a building located directly in front of the residence listed on the warrant.
“We recognize that speculation can spread quickly on social media, but we want to assure our community that the location was not a mistake,” Rockenbach added. “We remain committed to providing accurate and transparent information to the public.”
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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