SALISBURY — Following a traffic stop on Interstate 85 Tuesday, deputies charged three people with stealing $2,500 worth of scrap metal.
Lt. M.A. Brady of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office stopped the trio after officers received a call about possible metal theft. Robert Lee Troutman, 43; Mary McClellan Benton, 52; and 43-year-old Johnny Reid Arey Jr. were taken into custody.
Troutman, the driver, told deputies he didn’t have a license, an arrest report said. When asked to explain why he had a truck full of metal, Troutman said, “I didn’t think it belonged to anyone.”
Among the material, deputies found a hack saw and receipts from area scrap metal dealers.
Deputies later found Benton had an outstanding order for arrest from Cabarrus County. All three listed their address as a residence on Thomas Street.
Authorities said the accused thieves stole the metal from a China Grove home.
All three were charged with felony larceny and later released after posting $5,000 bonds each.