RICHMOND COUNTY — Two Rockingham men have been arrested in connection with copper wire thefts that have recently caused disruptions for infrastructure providers in Richmond County, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Mark Gulledge, while on routine patrol of the Airport Road area on Thursday, observed the men outside their vehicle engaging in suspicious behavior. During the interaction, he discovered recently burned copper and tools capable of cutting utility wires from a height, all of which were in plain view, RCSO officials said.
Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division’s Property Crimes Unit determined the items were consistent with an ongoing investigation into copper wire thefts in the county. Matthew Winfield, 39, and Joseph Whittle, 46, were each processed and booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $25,000 secure bond. According to officials, additional arrests and charges are forthcoming.
In a separate case, two Richmond County residents have been arrested following an investigation into crimes committed against a child. Sheriff’s investigators with the Special Victims’ Unit, assisted by the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office Electric Storage Detection Canine and other deputies, served a search warrant at a home on Grassy Island Road in northern Richmond County after a complaint was filed by the child’s father.
Keith Alexander Andrews, 73, of Mount Gilead, and Stephanie Allen Gibson, 41, of Rockingham, were each charged with three felony counts of statutory rape of a child age 15 or younger, one felony count of indecent liberties with a child, one felony count of human trafficking a child, and one felony count of first-degree kidnapping. Both were booked into the Richmond County Jail with no bond.
“Although our investigators take every case seriously, these cases that cross the desk of our Special Victims’ Unit investigators are the most disturbing crimes, and we will hold anyone committing these crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” Gulledge said.
In another case, investigators have charged a Rockingham woman in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins affecting several communities in Richmond County. Authorities said most of the targeted vehicles were left unlocked, but one truck sustained damage from forced entry. The most recent break-ins occurred during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Brianna Paige Gomez, 29, faces 36 counts of breaking or entering a motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, and conspiracy to commit a felony. She also had outstanding warrants for obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy. She was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a total bond of $230,000.
Two additional suspects — Kenigel Noel Peterkin, 21, of Troy, and Zachias Cross, 22, of Rockingham — have been identified in the investigation. Authorities warn they should be considered armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach them. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or provide anonymous tips through the Richmond County Crime Stoppers P3 Tip application.
Sheriff Gulledge expressed his gratitude to the residents who provided video surveillance, as well as the assistance from the Rockingham Police Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.