LARCENY RINGS BUSTED
WITHIN 30 MINUTES

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Authorities busted-up two larceny rings at Wal-Mart within a half hour of each other Thursday afternoon.

According to reports from the Lincolnton Police Department, officers received their first larceny call at Wal-Mart around 1:30 p.m.

As officer Tony Potts and Sgt. Willie Vaughn were leaving the store with one suspect in custody, they stopped a second car at the State Employees Credit Union from the second larceny.

There were three people in the vehicle. Potts and Vaughn called for assistance, and officer Dwayne McAlister arrived on the scene, with backup from officers Brandon Hunsucker and Dan Renn.

Sgt. Vaughn said a total of five people were arrested.

"Each ring didn't know the other was operating in the store," said Vaughn. Items taken included clothes and DVDs.

Authorities are expecting larceny cases to be on the increase, as the economy worsens and Black Friday -- the busiest shopping day of the year -- is coming up at the end of this week.

Law enforcement is planning on stepping-up patrols as shoppers make the mad-dash the day after Thanksgiving.