SALISBURY — A Salisbury man faces felony charges after he was accused of removing his electronic ankle monitor. The man reportedly told a Rowan sheriff’s detective he removed the device because the probation office let the device’s battery die.

Aquavius Robert Lee, 23, was charged on Thursday with felony tampering/interfering with an electronic monitoring device.

Lee’s probation officer contacted the detective to say they received notification that he had removed his ankle monitor. The probation officer told the detective Lee was on probation for larceny and uttering a forged instrument.

The ankle monitor was placed on April 29. By May 7, it had been removed, according to Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Sifford.

The detective went to the address where Lee was located. The detective spoke with Lee outside the residence. Lee reportedly said the probation office let it die so he cut it off, according to Sifford. Lee admitted to cutting the device while at the West End Community Park and Garden, located off Brenner Avenue.

The strap was cut, but not completely severed. Lee was able to make a cut and slide the device from his leg, Sifford said.

Lee was issued a $1,500 secured bond for the probation violation and an additional $1,000 secured bond for removing the device.

Lee was charged in January after he was charged with stealing tip money from a teen working at Sam’s Car Wash.