Fugitive from heist, girlfriend apprehended

Colton Lowder via Stanly County Sheriff's Dept.

ALBEMARLE — After Colton Lowder was found hiding in a crawl space, both suspects from the $100,000 April 4 heist of Joseph Burlesons farm are now in custody. The other suspect, Christopher Huneycutt, was arrested shortly following the incident, but Lowder eluded capture for days after.  

A 23-year-old female, Summer Elizabeth Poplin, was found on site with Lowder and charged with two felonies — possession with intent to manufacture, sell and distribute methamphetamines, and obstruction of justice for assisting Lowder while a fugitive from justice. Poplin was also charged with a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia.  

On Facebook, Lowder and Poplin are listed as in a relationship since March 17, 2019. 

Lowder, 30, received 12 charges, 11 of which were felonies. Ten of the felonies were related to the heist at the Burleson farm, where he is accused of stealing vehicles, guns and other items. The other charges are related to the methamphetamines present during the arrest.  

We executed a search warrant on a residence where we believed he was located, and we found him hiding in a crawl space in the basement, Capt. Chris Huneycutt, unrelated to the arrested Christopher Huneycutt, of the Stanly County Sheriffs Department told SCJ. While executing this search warrant, a quantity of methamphetamine was observed in plain sight.  

Burleson, who is on Stanly Countys Economic Development Commission and was formerly on the county commission, said he is relieved the investigation resulted in both suspects being apprehended.  

I want to thank the Stanly County Sheriffs Department and the Stanly County Journal for leading to the capture of Colton Lowder, Burleson told SCJ. I will now put my trust in the justice system that they will go to prison. Citizens expect people like this to be behind bars, not walking the streets to reoffend.