ALBEMARLE — Two Albemarle residents are facing felony charges for their involvement in a recent Norwood robbery.
Shortly after 9 p.m. on Jan. 18, Grady Williams, 27, and Derek Talbert, 32, were arrested by the Norwood Police Department in the case of a stolen car-hauler trailer that was taken from XTreme Automotive and Tire Center, located at 857 North Main St. in Norwood, at approximately 1 a.m. earlier that day.
Williams was charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of methamphetamine, while Talbert was charged with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and felony possession of methamphetamine.
“We got a call about a stolen trailer from XTreme Automotive, and when we started investigating, we were able to find some cameras from some businesses. We found the truck that was used to steal the car hauler,” Norwood Police Chief James Wilson told SCJ on Jan. 24.
It didn’t take long for police to locate the suspects in the case.
“An officer saw the car hauler at a business in Norwood, and we went and made contact. We spoke with two guys and found meth on them, and then we located the trailer that was stolen on his property in his residence,” Wilson said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to get a crime ring like that solved. In less than 24 hours, we had them in custody.”
After a search warrant was conducted by the Albemarle Police Department on the residence located at 609 Parker St. in Albemarle, multiple stolen items, including a skid steer, were discovered. More criminal charges could be forthcoming for Williams and Talbert pertaining to several open larceny cases that the APD can now investigate further.
Wilson confirmed that the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the suspects’ possible involvement with other stolen property cases throughout the county.
On Jan. 24, Talbert was handed numerous additional charges that come with a Jan. 25 court date, bringing his secured bond total to $75,000. He now faces 13 different charges: attempted first degree burglary, (2) felony breaking and entering, (2) felony larceny, (2) injury to real property, larceny after breaking and entering, (2) felony larceny of a motor vehicle, (2) conspiracy to commit felony larceny, and felony conspiracy.
With his secured bond set at $10,000, Williams’ next court date is slated for Feb. 22 to face his two charges.