PITTSBORO, N.C. (WNCN) – Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a series of camper and trailer thefts in southeastern Chatham County, authorities announced Tuesday. The thefts occurred at storage lots over the past month, prompting a joint investigation by several law enforcement agencies.
The investigation began on December 11 when an enclosed trailer, valued at $23,240, was stolen from a storage lot. Using surveillance footage, Chatham County deputies, in cooperation with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, identified and arrested Stephen Blake Allen, 39, and Bridgitte Elaine Moore, 28, both from Fuquay-Varina. The stolen trailer was later recovered in Raleigh and returned to its rightful owner.
Between December 20 and January 3, three additional thefts of campers were reported at similar storage locations. Authorities noticed a pattern linking these thefts to a third suspect. Nicholas Benjamin Bowers, 36, of Raeford, was arrested and charged with the theft of the three campers. The stolen campers were recovered in Sanford and Raeford with the help of the Southern Pines Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Hoke County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials are investigating whether additional thefts occurred, and some victims may not yet be aware that their items were taken from the storage lots.
Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson expressed his gratitude to the multiple agencies involved in the investigation, stating, “Thanks to their professionalism and dedication, stolen property has been returned to its rightful owners, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by law enforcement agencies in Wake and Johnston counties during the investigation.
