SALISBURY — A Mount Ulla man already in jail, charged a month ago with involvement in a theft ring, is now being charged with breaking into and burning parts of Piedmont Research Station. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Aldophus Lee Bolen, 35, of the 1300 block of White Road, with one count breaking and entering, one count burning of certain public buildings and one count burning personal property, all felonies.
The fire destroyed farm vehicles, hay, lumber, a golf cart, a feed truck, a road tractor, fertilizer spreader and other equipment. Investigators said at the time of the fire, no research or livestock was destroyed. The fire happened overnight Jan. 10. A neighbor called the night of the fire thinking the woods were on fire. The building is owned by the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
Investigators charged Bolen in March with breaking into multiple homes where jewelry, guns, electronics and vehicles were taken. The crimes occurred in January and February. Bolen was charged later in March when authorities say he took more than 100 golf cart batteries on two occasions from Foxwood Golf Club in mid-February. He was also charged with thefts at Spinnaker Contracting and Myers Forest Products.
In early April, West Virginia authorities say Bolen took someone’s vehicle without consent with the intent to steal it. Authorities in West Virginia also say Bolen tried to run from an officer in a vehicle and on foot.
Bolen received a $25,000 secured bond for these latest charges, which were added to an existing bond total of $165,000. He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.