Two men have been charged in the theft of air conditioning units from several churches in southern Rowan County.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division reports the suspects were driving a black Chevy Colorado pickup truck, caught by a hidden surveillance camera at one of the churches.
Joshua Wade Bare, 27, of 7832 Long Brier Drive, Kannapolis, faces charges, along with Bryan Williams Gibson, also 27, of 1083 Hidden Circle, Salisbury. They were arrested Thursday.
Detectives found in the bed of the truck a moped that was stolen from a residence on Cannon Farm Road.
During the investigation, detectives were able to link Bare and Gibson to air conditioning thefts from Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, Landis; Enochville Church of God, Kannapolis; Grace Lower Stone Church, Rockwell; Friendship Freewill Baptist Church, Kannapolis; Lakewood Baptist Church, Kannapolis; and Luther’s Chapel Church, China Grove.
According to the report, the suspects also stole air conditioners and broke into two vacant houses on Cannon Farm Road, Kannapolis, as well as air conditioners from a residence on Cloverfield Drive, Kannapolis; a residence on Moriah Street, Landis; and Dollar General, in China Grove.
Detectives have made contact with Kannapolis, China Grove and Landis police in reference to their cases. Both subjects were placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under $100,000 secured bond.
Bare was charged with six counts of felony larceny, two counts of felony breaking, entering and larceny and one count of misdemeanor larceny
Gibson was charged with six counts of felony larceny and two counts of felony breaking, entering and larceny.
The investigation continues. Anyone with information are asked to call Lt. Chad Moose 704-216-8687 or Detective Jon Brindle 704-216-8706 at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.