Salisbury man arrested after trying to pawn stolen items

Published 4:26 pm Saturday, February 21, 2015

A Salisbury man suspected of breaking into several cars recently was arrested Friday after he allegedly tired to pawn stolen items.

Joseph Lightsey II, 28, 317 South West St., was arrested Friday on charges of felony breaking and or entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering and obtaining property by false pretenses.

Warrants state that Lightsey allegedly tried to pawn a STIHL brand leaf blower and STIHL hedge trimmer that he didn’t own for $115. The incident occurred on Feb. 18, according to warrants. The two stolen items belonged to a Salisbury-based dentist, according to warrants.

Rowan County Jail records on Saturday afternoon showed Lightsey in jail on a $10,000 bail. He was booked into jail at 12:26 a.m. on Saturday.

Lightsey’s criminal record shows a lengthy history of breaking and entering vehicles and buildings.

He’s currently on three years of probation following a December conviction for felony obtaining property by false pretenses.

Lightsey in 2012 was convicted of numerous vehicle break-ins, identity theft, credit card theft and larceny after breaking and entering. In 2011 he was convicted of more than 20 counts of breaking and entering vehicles.

Earlier this month, vehicles parked at homes in the Forest Glen, Country Club Hills and Eagle Heights neighborhoods were broken into. All the vehicles were unlocked.

Police officials say they’ve seen a pattern of break-ins occur when Lightsey has been out of jail. However, in this case vehicles weren’t the only thing broken into, officials said.

Some of the items from one of those outbuildings showed up at a local pawn shop. Lightsey used a photo ID to pawn the items.

Reporter Shavonne Potts contributed to this report