By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Statesville Police believe there may be a Salisbury connection to thieves who cleaned out a house while posing as bank representatives.
The two men pulled off a different sort of larceny, pulling up to the East Front Street house in daylight ó and inviting neighbors to take what was left.
The house, which was unoccupied, is owned by Gene Medlin, who also owns Carolina Barbecue on East Front Street.
According to Statesville Police, the theft occurred on Sunday, Aug. 2. The men apparently told neighbors various versions of a claim they had been hired by a bank.
They hooked up a utility trailer, owned by Medlin, to a late model red Dodge Durango and began loading up.
They took a John Deere lawnmower, a Toro mower, a string trimmer and other items according to Investigator Nicole Meyer.
They drove off, returning a few minutes later to pick up some tie-down straps to secure the load.
Neighbors, apparently believing the men, cleaned out the house, leaving it bare from the attic to the basement. After being contacted by police, they returned the goods.
Police learned of the heist about 10 hours after it happened from a neighbor who became suspicious.
According to police, one of the men had a very distinct tattoo he said he got in Salisbury.
The tattoo on the left side of his neck reads “Stacy” in cursive writing.
Police released the following descriptions of the suspects:
One is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, 5-foot-10, with tattoos over the visible parts of his body. He is also described as scruffy with facial air.
The second man is described as white, approximately 6-foot-1, skinny, with blue eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406 or Iredell-Statesville Crime Stoppers at 704-437-COPS. A $1,000 reward is being offered.