FOUR PEOPLE CHARGED IN STEALING METAL GRATES

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher


Eric Todd Johnson

LINCOLNTON -- Four Maiden residents face charges from Lincolnton Police for stealing metal grates, then trying to resell the items to make money. The arrests happened last Wednesday in a matter of two hours.

Amanda Lynn Shrum, 24, of 4020 Benny Shrum Lane, Maiden, and Eric Todd Johnson, 22, of Highway 274, Cherryville, were arrested at Webb Metals at 1305 Philadelphia Church Road, Dallas, just before 3:30 p.m. Officers at the scene reported Shrum and Johnson were in possession of the grates that were reported stolen from Timberworks, LLC.

Both Johnson and Shrum face felony charges of posessing stolen property and felony conspiracy. They were both taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond.

About two hours later, two more suspects actually turned themselves to the Lincolnton Police Department and now face the same charges. Bond for both defendants were set at $7,000 secured. Authorities believe the four were going to sell the grates as scrap metal.