ATV, Lawnmower Theft in River Road Area Presumed Solved | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release

    Between January 11, 2014 and February 4, 2014, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received several reports including vehicle break-ins, lawnmower thefts, and an ATV theft in the River Road area of Washington, NC. Deputies took initial reports and the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation.

    During the follow-up, Investigators identified a suspect and a vehicle used during the crimes. On February 10, 2014, Investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office preformed a search of a property on Ormandsville Road in Ayden. Investigators located the suspect vehicle along with a stolen ATV from Washington. Two suspects were taken into custody after the search. An additional search of a residence on Willow Green Road in Ayden produced two lawnmowers stolen from Washington. The investigation revealed that the suspects were stealing items in Washington between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. while performing contract newspaper delivery for a Greenville business. A delivery van was used to conceal and transport the stolen lawn mowers and ATV.

    As a result, Investigators applied for obtained warrants charging Cornelius Tyrone Campbell, age 21, of Barrett Drive in Ayden with two (2) counts of Felony Larceny, two (2) counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, one (1) count of Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle and one (1) count of Unlawfully Obtaining a Financial Card; Melvin Jermaine Edwards, age 30, of Willow Green Road in Ayden with two (2) counts of Felony Larceny, two (2) counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, one (1) count of Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle, one (1) count of Unlawfully Obtaining a Financial Card, one (1) count of Driving While License Revoked, and one (1) count of Identity Theft; and Xavier Devon Hall, age 21, of Vaniford Road in Snow Hill with one (1) count of Felony Larceny. Edwards and Hall were transported to Beaufort County, served with the warrants, and held in the Beaufort County Detention Center. Edwards was held on a $27,000.00 secured bond and Hall on a $4,000.00 secured bond. Additional charges are expected from Beaufort, Pitt, and Greene Counties.



    Campbell is still at large. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cornelius Tyrone Campbell should contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252)946-7111 or Beaufort County Crime Stoppers by phone, text or through their website. Call (252)974-6400; text a tip anonymously by dialing 274637 on a cellphone and in the body of the message, type BCSO131 and the tip; or submit a tip through the Crime Stoppers website, www.beaufortcountycrimestoppers.com, by following the “Tip Line” link and filling out an online form. Calls, texts, and emails are anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Tipsters do not have to give their name to receive a reward.


    Major Kenneth Watson
      Beaufort County Sheriff's Office