Local News
Arrests made in Southern Pines fiber cable case
Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced that three arrests have been made in connection with the Oct. 12 incident that damaged Spectrum and Brightspeed fiber-optic lines, leaving some people without internet. The incident reminded many Moore County residents of Dec. 3, 2022, when two Duke Energy electrical substations in Carthage and West End were damaged by gunfire, knocking out power for five days for 45,000 residents and businesses. One person died as a result of the power outage.
The lines are located along Old Morganton Road near Pine Lawn Cemetery in Southern Pines and were previously intentionally damaged, resulting in thousands of customers losing service.
On Oct. 24, it was announced that sheriff’s investigators arrested Mitchell Campbell, 43, and Mario Dockery, 44, both of Hoke County in connection with the crime. Campbell is facing three counts of felony injury to utility wires, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny. Dockery is facing charges of felony accessory after the fact to injury to utility wires. Both were booked into the Moore County Detention Center without bond and are scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Nov. 13, 2025.
Later the same day, Sheriff Fields announced a third arrest in the case. Charles Donnelly, 44, of Hoke County, was charged with two counts of felony injury to utility wire, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny. Donnelly was booked into the Moore County Detention Center without bond and is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Nov. 12.
From the start of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reported that the circumstances observed at the scene were consistent with an attempted wire theft. Investigators evaluated all potential motives as the case progressed, and evidence confirmed that the incident was an attempted theft of wiring material.
Although the motive was theft, the damage caused significant disruption to communications and internet service across portions of Moore County.
As the investigation developed, Sheriff’s investigators coordinated with the Pinebluff Police Department, Candor Police Department, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Anson County Sheriff’s Office after leads extended into other jurisdictions. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
This case carries enhanced penalties under North Carolina’s Protect Critical Infrastructure Act, sponsored by Senator Tom McInnis, which strengthens state law against intentional damage to energy, communications, and utility infrastructure. The legislation increases penalties for such offenses and reflects the state’s commitment to protecting essential systems and ensuring accountability for crimes that disrupt critical services.
This is the second major wire-theft investigation in recent months in Moore County that resulted in widespread service disruption. Both incidents have led to criminal charges under the strengthened infrastructure protection laws, highlighting the ongoing problem of wire theft across the region and the serious penalties these crimes now carry.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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