By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — When Ernest Buchanan met with investigators to discuss his alleged involvement in two Salisbury break-ins, it didn’t bode well that he arrived with a revoked license.
Deputies said Buchanan, 40, and Luther Alan Stanley, 34, broke into two Salisbury businesses near Statesville Boulevard earlier this month, taking 30 catalytic converters and assorted tools.
Investigators pulled video footage from SMR Core and Metal, 3875 Statesville Blvd., and JDI Sports Incorporated after both shops were broken into on Jan. 12.
Buchanan was identified from the video and was believed to be selling the metal at a Lexington scrap yard.
Buchanan met with detectives on Jan. 13 and was charged with driving while license revoked. He was released after posting bond.
Deputies tried to obtain a search warrant on Buchanan before he posted bond, but could not, an arrest report said.
A review of the Lexington scrap yard’s video footage, however, made the warrant a moot point.
Deputies said the man was clearly identified as Buchanan and matched the footage from the burglarized shops.
Investigators charged Buchanan, 445 Benjamin Trot Lane, with two counts of felony larceny and two counts of felony breaking and entering.
He was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
Stanley was also identified from the footage and was given the same charges.
Stanley, of 124 Self Lane, was given a $50,000 bond and was in jail on Friday.