FATHER, SON ARRESTED IN MATTRESS CAPER

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's not everyday that people see a pickup truck load of mattresses heading down the street. And that's exactly what piqued the curiousity of Lincolnton Police Sgt. Jeremy Wilson.

Over the weekend, Wilson noticed a pickup occupied by three people on Country Club Road, with several mattresses wrapped in plastic. Wilson initiated a traffic stop and noticed how the driver of the vehicle was profusely sweating.

According to Wilson's report, he started talking to the driver and asked where the mattresses came from. Before the driver could answer, a passenger interrupted and told Wilson the mattresses came from the discard area of Factory Mattress Sales on Dave Warlick Drive.

Wilson called Lt. Dwite Shehan, who came out to the traffic stop and began talking with the driver.

Wilson's report indicated the driver told Shehan the same story.

When Shehan talked to the male passenger, he said the mattresses came from the loading dock area.

Wilson, Shehan and the suspects went back to Factory Mattress Sales, where the owner verified the mattresses weren't discarded material, that in fact the bedding came from the back of a tractor trailer.

While at the business, the unidentified female in the truck told officers both suspects removed the mattresses from the tractor trailer. Weed eaters, that were also taken, were recovered.

Jackie Lee Dover Jr., 20, or York, SC, and Jackie Lee Dover Sr., 41, of Clover, SC were arrested on felony larceny of auto parts and accessories; felony breaking and entering to a semi trailer; and 10 felony counts of having stolen property. The younger Dover was taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under an $8,000 secured bond, while the elder Dover was held under a $12,500 secured bond.

Only Dover Sr. remained in jail as of Monday night. The female wasn't arrested.

The pair told officers they were getting the bedding for a rental property.