SALISBURY — Authorities found a Mount Hope Church Road man hiding underneath a vehicle at Patriot’s Towing late Monday night. He was charged with taking items from the business.
Cullen Junior Wilbanks II, 36, was charged with first-degree trespassing and felony possession of burglary tools.
A member of the Police Interdiction Team (PIT) responded to a call regarding a theft in progress. The incident occurred at 9:15 p.m. at the business, located at 2906 S. Main St.
When the officer arrived at the business, he noticed a white pickup parked outside a fence. The vehicle was warm to the touch.
A police dog was called in to search the area. Wilbanks was found hiding under a vehicle, said Police Capt. Melonie Thompson. Wilbanks had burglary tools on him.
Officers looked at surveillance video that showed Wilbanks on Jan. 25 taking a metal bumper, a hood and tailgate from three different vehicles. He was charged in that incident with felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, second-degree trespassing and misdemeanor larceny.
Three weeks ago, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Wilbanks with taking items from storage buildings owned by Grove Supply in China Grove. He was arrested by the Salisbury Police in December and charged with misdemeanor larceny from Walmart.
He has prior convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, fraud, indecent exposure, possession of stolen goods and multiple traffic infractions. Wilbanks has since been released under a $10,000 secured bond.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.