Police: Church van driver charged with scrap metal theft

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 14, 2012

By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Authorities said a man driving a church van stole scrap metal from another church’s property Friday morning.
According to a Salisbury Police report, Michael Williams, of Forrest Drive, was stopped by officers on Old Concord Road. Neighbors near the 100 block notified police shortly before the stop because they thought they saw a break-in.
Authorities said Williams was driving a white van from Love Christian Center which was filled with scrap metal. Two others were also in the van.
The report said Williams told police he was going to sell the metal and give the money to the church. A “crack” pipe was also found in the van, police said.
Williams told officers he had permission to drive the van, the report said.
Wilbert Antonio Price, 51, and 41-year-old Marica Peck were also in the van. All three were charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking in. Williams was also charged on citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
They were given $5,000 bonds each.
The property on Old Concord Road was owned by Mt. Calvary Holy Church, the report said.
During the investigation, officers said they learned the van was headed back to a building in the 600 block of South Shaver Street.
Authorities found couches and a bed inside the vacant building.
Inside, police said they also found Coya Hargrave, 39. She was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering.
Hargrave was placed under a $500 bond.
All four remained in jail Monday morning.