Two charged in scrap metal theft

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 1, 2012

MOUNT ULLA — An Iredell County man and his girlfriend face multiple charges after authorities say he stole scrap metal from one Mount Ulla business and sold it to another.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Kristopher Wayne Robbins and Crystie Renee Turner, both of Neil Farm Road in Troutman, in connection with a theft reported Wednesday.
The owner of Tiger Quick Change Rear Ends reported that a large amount of scrap aluminum and magnesium had been stolen from a storage building in three separate incidents.
The business uses the metal to make race car equipment. In total, 21 pieces worth about $1,200 were taken.
A newly-installed security camera showed a car parking beside the storage building at about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. According to the sheriff’s office report, a young man could be seen taking the metal as a young woman waited in the car, and the two were later identified as Robbins and Turner.
Investigators were able to track down the scrap metal at C&T Recycling, owned by Carrol Crawford, a former candidate in this year’s primary for Rowan County Commissioner.
Crawford’s records identified Robbins, 30, as the man who sold the stolen property, investigators said. They contacted the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, which took him into custody and brought him to Rowan officers.
Robbins was charged Wednesday with felony larceny, misdemeanor larceny and obtaining property by false pretenses (a felony). As of Friday afternoon, he remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $7,000 bond.
Turner, 29, was arrested Thursday on three misdemeanor charges — larceny, possessing stolen goods and aiding and abetting. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.