MAN CHARGED WITH IDENTITY THEFT
The Carolina Scoop's Exclusive Video of the arrest

By Jon Mayhew

Officer Tony Potts walked identity theft suspect Michael Rhyne from the probation office on Sycamore Street to the Magistrate's Office on the Court Square. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- A Lincolnton man is arrested at the probation office on Sycamore Street Thursday after a month-long investigation that stemmed from a traffic stop last month. Authorities learned via a tip the suspect, Michael Ray Rhyne, 29, Bryant Cooper Lane, would be at the probation office around 4 p.m.

Rhyne got a surprise shortly after entering the building. Instead of visiting and leaving, the suspect got arrested on felony identity theft charges for using his own brother's name during a traffic stop. The Carolina Scoop's video camera captured exclusive footage of Rhyne being led to the Magistrate's Office.

Video shot by Jon Mayhew.

After being arraigned at the Magistrate's Office, Rhyne was taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond. According to the Web site www.lincolnsheriff.org,Rhyne was bonded out of jail as of late Thursday night.

On November 2, Lincolnton police officer Tony Potts and Sgt. Willie Vaughn stopped Rhyne in the parking lot of the Little Market Basket on East Main Street after he ran a red light. In checking records, the duo discovered he had a ficticious tag.

Rhyne used the name Jason Kyle Baker, 32, and was issued a citation by the officers, then released. Baker is also of Bryant Cooper Lane.

At the time of the citation, Potts took a photograph of Rhyne.

About three weeks later, Officer Potts learned Rhyne had, in fact, given his brother's name at the time of the traffic stop.

According to the incident report. Rhyne had asked Baker to appear in court for him on the traffic charges. Baker then contacted authorities and provided proof he was innocent of the traffic citation.

While Rhyne will be making his first appearance hearing Dec. 5 in Lincolnton District Court, officers will have the charges against Baker dismissed.