By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
MOUNT ULLA — A Cleveland man found nine of his vehicles without batteries earlier this month, but witnesses and a paper trail gave investigators a lead.
Deputies tracked the stolen batteries and a T-5 transmission, which were taken out of farming vehicles in the man’s shed, back to an auto parts business, according to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report.
Officers arrested 18-year-old Thomas Jay Corbin, 239 Westfield Drive, at 6 p.m. Tuesday. He was charged with nine counts of felony breaking and entering into vehicles, felony obtaining property by false pretense and second-degree trespassing.
He was in jail Wednesday morning under a $25,000 bond.
Investigator John Brindle spoke to the homeowner, who said he had seen a suspicious blue Honda Odyssey near the property several days before.
Brindle tracked the goods to Stricklins Auto and Truck Parts in Cleveland.
After identifying the stolen parts, deputies said, investigators found Corbin’s name on the transaction’s paperwork.
The report did not state how much money was obtained for the parts.
Deputies are continuing to investigate the theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.
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