Craven County deputies apprehended two men on Sunday who were allegedly attempting to steal catalytic converters from vehicles behind a car lot on U.S. 70. The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Samuel Ray White of Vanceboro and 44-year-old Edwards Shawn Horn of New Bern, were reportedly spotted by deputies at Pure 1 Auto, located at 4426 U.S. 70 East.
The arrest followed a report of a suspicious vehicle, a 2011 GMC truck, parked on private property without permission. Deputies recognized the truck as one linked to other catalytic converter thefts in the James City and Old Cherry Point area.
Upon approaching the lot, deputies observed White and Horn attempting to remove a catalytic converter from a vehicle. The suspects fled, and during the chase, one of the deputies sustained injuries from a machete wielded by one of the men. The deputy was treated and later released from CarolinaEast Medical Center.
White and Horn face charges of felony larceny of motor vehicle parts and assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury. White is being held without bond, while Horn’s bond is set at $150,000. The Criminal Investigations Bureau continues to investigate, with additional charges expected.