MOORESVILLE — A China Grove man has been arrested in connection with a break-in and theft at a Mooresville storage unit on Dec. 10, according to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell.

Deputies were called to a storage unit that Tuesday on a report of breaking and entering. When they arrived, they found someone had not only broken into the unit, but had stolen more than $15,000 in property. Detective T. Henderson of the Criminal Investigation Division was assigned to the case.

Reports show Henderson conducted numerous interviews and reviewed surveillance footage from the area, leading to the identification of Roman Fred Zabinski, 58, as the primary suspect. Henderson established that Zabinski had entered the unit on two separate occasions.

Most of the stolen property was then recovered from Zabinski’s residence during a search warrant, and the items were returned to their rightful owner. Deputies obtained arrest warrants for Zabinski, who was not at home at the time of the search. The warrants charged Zabinksi with one count of felony safecracking, and two counts each of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy and misdemeanor first degree trespassing.

On Sunday, Dec. 22, Zabinski was found and arrested by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the Rowan County Detention Center, where Magistrate B. Franklin issued him a $20,000 secured bond.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the collaborative efforts of the Rowan CountySheriff’s Office in apprehending Zabinski and ensuring justice for the victims of this crime.