By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Rowan County authorities say two people went on a three-week crime spree in which numerous pieces of lawn equipment were stolen from multiple homes in Granite Quarry and Salisbury.

The thefts took place from April 25 to May 11.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Martin Franklin Efird, 38, of the 100 block of Mitchell Street, East Spencer, and Carrie Ann Taylor, 34, of the 700 block of Park Avenue, Salisbury, with one count of misdemeanor larceny; one count of felony larceny; eight counts of felony breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering; and seven counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny.

Authorities received reports in April that several outbuildings containing tools were broken into, officials said.

A total of 18 break-ins were reported across Rowan County and three break-ins in Granite Quarry.

A witness saw a silver box-style Jeep that was captured on video at a break-in, a report said.

While en route to speak with a victim, a deputy spotted the vehicle parked at Village Grocery. When the deputy turned around, the vehicle was gone.

The deputy caught up with the vehicle and stopped it after the driver made a traffic violation.

The deputy reported seeing a bag of tools sitting on top of a cooler in the backseat. A robbery victim arrived and identified his stolen tools, which included a circular saw and a drill driver.

Rowan County detectives interviewed the driver, Deanna Ingram, who was not charged, as well as Taylor and Efird. Detectives obtained a search warrant on Sunday for 4355 Franklin Community Center Road. The warrant was issued at 2:30 a.m. and served at 3 a.m.

Officers seized items and were able to return some of them to the owners. Officials said many more items were not claimed.

A Rockwell man reported that between April 25 and 29, thieves broke into a storage building and took a mitre saw, impact wrench, impact wrench socket set, reciprocating saw, cordless drill, batteries, rubber mallet, framing hammers, electric drill, bolt cutters, wood splitting maul, ax, hand grinder, and  leaf blower, according to an arrest warrant.

The equipment was valued at $2,207 and was stolen in the 1400 block of Emmanuel Church Road.

Other thefts reported include:

• May 2, a hedge trimmer and electric blower valued at $80 from a storage building in the 4500 block of Bringle Ferry Road.

• May 3, a backpack blower from a storage building in the 3600 block of Long Ferry Road.

• Between May 2 and 7, a $400 air compressor from a storage building in the 500 block of Scout Road.

• May 4, a weed trimmer and leaf blower valued at $100 from a Ford Ranger in the 200 block of Peach Orchard Road

• May 4, a pressure washer valued at $400 stolen from a storage building in the 4600 block of Goodman Lake Road.

• Between May 4 and 7, a Stihl chainsaw and leaf blower valued at $480 from a storage building in the 8200 block of Bringle Ferry Road.

• Between May 4 and 8, $510 worth of equipment including a shop vacuum, chop saw, air compressor, staple gun, and tool bag with a hammer, wrenches and Black & Decker drill in the 200 block of Lakeshore Drive

• Between May 5 and 6, three drills, a circular saw, finishing gun and other hand tools from a Chevrolet pickup owned by Vertex Construction.

• May 10, a pressure washer, toolbox, and Craftsman and Snap-On tools valued at $11,750 from the 300 block of Country Ridge Road, Rockwell.

• May 10, a backpack leaf blower valued at $300 from a home in the 100 block of Wiley Lane.

• May 10 or 11, an air compressor valued at $500 in the 5200 block of Bringle Ferry Road.

• May 6-7, a chainsaw and 360 Prism surveying equipment valued at $1,600 from a Chevrolet pickup owned by Concord Engineering and Surveying.

• May 3-4, a chainsaw and 360 Prism surveying equipment valued at $700 from a Salisbury Fire Appliance pickup.

 

 

• May 11, a Husqvarna leaf blower, weed trimmer and Porter Cable toolset valued at $500 from a storage building in the 100 block of Whisnant Drive.

Rowan County detectives and a Granite Quarry detective investigated the case.

Efird remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $90,000 secured bond.

Taylor remains in jail under an $85,000 secured bond.

Both are expected in court this week for first appearances.