Authorities in Spindale, North Carolina, have arrested two men accused of stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of tools from Harbor Freight stores across North and South Carolina.
Police identified the suspects as Michael Scott Moore and Keonadre Shamond Goodlett, both of whom now face charges of organized retail theft and felony conspiracy.
According to the Spindale Police Department, officers responded several times to a local Harbor Freight store after reports of a man repeatedly stealing generators and tools, sometimes assisted by a second suspect. The total value of the stolen merchandise from that store alone was estimated at $3,299.99.
Detectives soon learned that at least four other Harbor Freight locations had experienced similar thefts. An investigation helped authorities trace a vehicle connected to one of the crimes, which had previously been stopped for a traffic violation. That traffic stop ultimately led detectives to identify Moore and Goodlett as the primary suspects.
On Tuesday evening, police located both men at a Motel 6 on Reservation Drive in Spindale, where they were found with several tools still in their original packaging. Officers believe these items were stolen from another retailer.
Investigators said that additional charges against the pair may follow as the multi-jurisdictional case continues.
