By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A China Grove man was charged with a number of felony offenses after he was accused of taking a credit card from a woman and using it to buy gift cards. Rowan authorities say he tried to pawn the gift cards.

Cory Wayne Harrington, 22, of the 2500 block of Saw Road, was charged with two counts of felony financial transaction card take/obtain, felony breaking and entering, six counts of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, nine counts of felony attempted obtaining property by false pretenses and misdemeanor larceny.

The victim told detectives she received a text alert from her bank that there were fraudulent purchases on her card. The victim told investigators she met the suspect via the person she was renting a room from and that was likely how he got her card. She didn’t know her card was missing until her bank notified her. Her car was also broken into, a warrant said.

A second victim said she gave Harrington a ride on June 18 and when she tried to use her debit card for a meal, the card was declined.

An arrest warrant said Harrington sold four gift cards from Belk, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Kohl’s to Reliable Pawn that were believed to be obtained by way of theft or purchased via stolen credit cards.

A warrant said Harrington tried to buy food, gift cards and merchandise from Food Lion with a stolen credit card.

A warrant said the victim’s credit card was used to buy $20.66 worth of items form Sandy Ridge Gas Station. A debit card belonging to another victim was used to buy a $250 Lowe’s Home Improvement gift card from Food Lion.

A warrant said Harrington took Belk, Shell Gas, Walmart and Home Depot gift cards from the first victim.

A warrant said $267.66 worth of clothing and gift cards from Kohl’s were bought with a stolen credit card.

Harrington is accused of trying to buy gift cards, soft drinks and an energy drink in the amount of $4.39 from Dollar General as well as $7.89 worth of food, merchandise and gift cards from Rite Aid. A warrant said Harrington tried to use the stolen credit card to buy $59.24 worth of food, merchandise and gift cards from Food Lion.

Warrants show Harrington tried to buy gas from 7-Eleven and Speedway.

Harrington remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $77,500 secured bond. He is currently on 12 months of probation for a June 14 misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia conviction.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.