RICHMOND COUNTY — Eric Wayne Prine, 40, of Gastonia, who was wanted by the Gastonia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, has been arrested.
On June 17, 2026, deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division were patrolling the area of Aleo 9th Avenue in East Rockingham when they observed a vehicle parked on unoccupied property. Deputies approached the vehicle to ensure no criminal activity was occurring and to offer assistance if needed. During the encounter, they identified the occupant as Prine.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies determined that Prine was wanted by the Gastonia Police Department on a charge of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and by the U.S. Marshals Service for an alleged federal probation violation. Prine was taken into custody without incident and transported before a Richmond County magistrate, where he was served with the outstanding criminal processes. He was subsequently confined in the Richmond County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.
According to court records, Prine’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 7 in Gaston County.
In a separate case, Thaao Tohave Short, 37, of Hamlet, was arrested June 16 after deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division observed him walking along Dale Peterkin Street in the Dobbins Heights community while conducting routine patrols.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies confirmed that Short had multiple outstanding warrants and took him into custody without incident.
Short was brought before a Richmond County magistrate and served with numerous outstanding warrants, including:
• Two counts of being a fugitive from justice
• Four counts of breaking and entering
• Three counts of larceny after breaking and entering
• Felony larceny
• Two counts of larceny of a firearm
• Six counts of obtaining property by false pretenses
• Five counts of identity theft
• Financial card theft
• Attempting to break or enter a building
• Breaking or entering a motor vehicle
• Three counts of misdemeanor larceny
• Injury to personal property
• Injury to real property
• Two counts of possession of stolen goods or property
• Resisting a public officer
• Disorderly conduct
• Communicating threats
• Assault on a female
• Stalking
Short was booked into the Richmond County Jail without bond. According to court records, his first appearance was held June 16, and a disposition hearing is scheduled for June 29.
In a separate case, a Hamlet man wanted on multiple outstanding charges was arrested after the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office assisted North Carolina Probation and Parole officers at a residence on Perry Williams Road in Hamlet.
According to a media release, deputies were responding to assist in the apprehension of an individual who had allegedly absconded from supervision and was the subject of an outstanding order for arrest. While en route, deputies were informed that the individual, identified as Sir Hamp Bell, 47, of Hamlet, was wanted by multiple counties and jurisdictions in North Carolina.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers attempted to take Bell into custody. According to the sheriff’s office, Bell refused commands, attempted to flee and then barricaded himself inside the residence. Deputies subsequently took Bell into custody without further incident.
Bell was transported before a Richmond County magistrate and served with multiple outstanding criminal processes, including:
• Resisting a public officer
• Five counts of felony larceny
• Nine counts of felony conspiracy
• Five counts of habitual larceny
• Five counts of possession of stolen goods or property
• Two counts of misdemeanor larceny
Bell was booked into the Richmond County Jail without bond. Court records show the charges against Bell remain pending.