MAN CHARGED WITH LARCENY, ASSAULT
Suspect shoved store employees while trying to leave

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's becoming more and more common as the economy gets tighter and tighter; people will steal anything.

Just ask a Lincolnton man who recently went into Times Turn Around in the 2600 block of East Main Street.

According to police, Donald Joe Fortenberry, 19, went into the cooler and took three beers, hiding them under his jacket.

Two female employees were on duty; one of them confronted Fortenberry in the cooler and was shoved aside as Fortenberry tried to leave.

As he tried to leave the store, Fortenberry shoved another employee. The suspect was detained by a customer until law enforcement arrived on the scene.

Officer Tony Potts and Sgt. Willie Vaughn took Fortenberry into custody. The suspect was jailed under an $800 secured bond on charges of larceny and assault on a female.