Sweeping arrests in large-scale utility line theft investigation by sheriff's office

Staff reports

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office announced today a sweeping action, which resulted in the arrest of almost a dozen people for theft and destruction of copper wire and fiber optic cable across multiple jurisdictions. This action was taken in collaboration with the Gaston County Police Department after several months of investigation.

Between August 2025 and November 2025, law enforcement personnel responded to a series of thefts spanning multiple counties, including Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln. The incidents resulted in significant infrastructure damage and considerable financial loss.

Following a coordinated investigative effort, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has charged the following individuals in connection with crimes occurring within Cleveland County:

(names of those charged continued below...)

Dillon Bo Hall, 28, 502 Kiser Rd, Bessemer City, 14 Felony Warrants; Cynthia Diane Stamey, 38, 502 Kiser Rd, Bessemer City,13 Felony Warrants; Jeremy Ray Tyson, 48, 502 Kiser Rd, Bessemer City,12 Felony Warrants; Justin Brian McNeely, 37, 10 Stinnett Dr, Bessemer City 7 Felony Warrants; John Steven Carpenter, 43,115 New Moon Ln, Bessemer City, 3 Felony Warrants; Joshua Neil Robinson, 39, 100 Seven Hawk Trail, Shelby, 7 Felony Warrants; Summer Michelle Brittain, 38, 1442 Arlee Dr., Shelby; 1 Felony Warrant; Janet Ledford McDaniel, 54, 224 Green Meadows Dr, Kings Mountain, 4 Felony Warrants; Hershel Nathan Davis III, 48, 224 Green Meadows Dr, Kings Mountain, 9 Felony Warrants; Jennifer Marie Propst, 34, 502 Kiser Rd, Bessemer City charged with 10 Felony Warrants and Ashlee Nichole Wyckoff, 40, 106 S. Pine St, Dallas, NC charged with 2 Felony Warrants.

Several of the charges included Felony Larceny / Possession of Stolen Goods (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72), Receiving Stolen Goods / Receiving or Possessing Goods Represented as Stolen (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-71), Obtaining Property by False Pretenses (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-100), Injuring Wires and Other Fixtures of Telecommunications Companies (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-154) and Conspiracy (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.4).

A statement released by The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, thanked the partners of the coordinated effort, extends its appreciation to partner agencies and also encouraged anyone with additional information regarding related incidents to contact Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822 or Crime Stoppers 704-481-8477.

All tip submissions through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

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This was adapted from a press release by The Cleveland County Sheriff's office.