RICHMOND COUNTY — Last Friday, deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Community Impact Team, assisted by the Patrol Division, conducted a traffic stop related to outstanding felony warrants issued by the Criminal Investigations Division.
The stop occurred at 106 Homeward Ave. in Rockingham, the suspect’s residence. Deputies identified the driver as William Bradley Barnhardt, 44, of Rockingham.
A warrant confirmation through the Richmond County 911 Communications Center verified that Barnhardt was wanted on multiple felony charges. He was taken into custody without incident.
The outstanding warrants include exploitation of a disabled or elderly adult, financial card theft and obtaining property by false pretenses.
According to court records, Barnhardt stole a Bank of America credit card issued to an elderly woman. The card had been in the possession and control of another individual. Barnhardt allegedly used the card to obtain $12,218.54 as if it were his own.
On March 5, Barnhardt was stopped by the N.C. State Highway Patrol for driving 65 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was cited for speeding, operating a vehicle without a current electronic inspection authorization and having an expired registration card or tag. He also has a pending traffic citation from Jan. 22.
During the arrest, deputies located drug paraphernalia and a metal pill container holding a white powder-like substance. An investigating detective responded to the residence, continued the investigation and subsequently obtained a search warrant for the residence and vehicle.
Items seized during the search included a pill bottle containing 0.3 grams of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, five plastic baggies containing 1.6 grams of a rocklike substance suspected to be crack cocaine, assorted drug paraphernalia, two handguns — one confirmed stolen — four long guns, a black firearm suppressor and assorted paperwork related to the initial warrants.
As a result of the search, Barnhardt faces additional charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine; possession of methamphetamine; maintaining a vehicle for keeping a controlled substance; possession of a stolen firearm; possession of a weapon of mass destruction; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Barnhardt was transported to the Richmond County Jail and placed under a combined bond of $175,000.
“Sheriff Gulledge commended the coordinated efforts of the Community Impact Team, Criminal Investigations Division, and Patrol Division, noting their continued commitment to proactive enforcement and thorough investigative work,” reads a media release issued by the Sheriff’s Office.