A Littleton man accused of stealing a Jeep and selling it to a scrap yard was arrested Wednesday night during a traffic stop that also resulted in drug charges and the arrest of his passenger, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded Sunday, Oct. 4, to the area of Deer Run Drive and Buck Drive near Roanoke Rapids following a report of a stolen vehicle. Investigators said someone broke a chain on the property and took a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
An investigation by Sgt. A. Wood determined the Jeep had been taken to an area scrap and salvage yard and sold for scrap. Deputies obtained warrants for Brian Randell Salyer, 41, of Littleton.
Salyer was charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony obtaining property by false pretense, misdemeanor injury to personal property and misdemeanor first-degree trespassing.
At approximately 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Wood and Cpl. R. Lafayette stopped a vehicle Salyer was known to operate. Deputies identified Salyer as the driver and Adam O’Neal Pearson, 32, of Roanoke Rapids, as the passenger.
A records check showed Pearson was wanted for a probation violation. Deputies said a search of Pearson following his arrest also resulted in the discovery of a Schedule II controlled substance. Lafayette charged Pearson with misdemeanor possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, identified by the sheriff’s office as Adderall.
Salyer was arrested on the charges stemming from the Jeep theft as well as an outstanding Halifax County order for arrest for failure to appear. Authorities said he was also wanted in Greensville County, Virginia, for failure to appear on a felony grand larceny charge.
During a probable-cause search of the vehicle, deputies reported finding cocaine. Salyer was additionally charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
Both men were taken to the Halifax County Detention Center.
Salyer received a $26,000 secured bond on the North Carolina charges and was held without bond on the Virginia matter. He has court dates scheduled for Oct. 16, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
Pearson received a $500 bond on the probation violation and was held without bond on the drug charge due to pending charges, according to the sheriff’s office. His court date is scheduled for Oct. 20.
