Date/Time of Offence: Tuesday, May 25, 2021.      

Offense(s)/Charge(s): Felony Breaking and Entering of a Residence

                                      Felony Harboring or Aiding Certain Persons

                                      Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer

                                      Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Property

                                      Misdemeanor Larceny   

 Location of Incident:  Bell Farm Road, Shiloh Road, and 159 Hugo Lane, Statesville.

                  . 

Suspect(s): Nicholas Dale Johnson, 28 Years Old

                    312 North Bost Street

                    Statesville, North Carolina 28677

                    James Steven Haithcox, 68 Years Old

                    159 Hugo Lane

                    Statesville, North Carolina 28677

                    Kimberly Gayle Matheson, 48 Years Old

                    312 North Bost Street

                    Statesville, North Carolina 28677 

                    Laura Ann Burchette, 33 Years Old

                    5356 BJ Drive

                    Conover, North Carolina 28613

Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Iredell Count Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol deputies responded to the 700 Block of Bell Farm Road near east Statesville in reference to a breaking and entering of a residence.

 While the deputies were on scene, information was received about another residential break-in on Shiloh Road off of Highway 70 East. Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division, along with Crime Scene Investigators responded to assist working the crime scenes. Investigators located witnesses who identified Nicholas Dale Johnson from North Bost Street in Statesville as the suspect in these crimes.  

 Additional information was gathered showing Nicholas Johnson, his mother Kimberly Gayle Matheson, and Laura Ann Burchette had gone to the Wal-Mart Shopping store in Mooresville where they used stolen credit cards from one of the crime scenes to purchase several items. Investigators responded to the store where they viewed video surveillance showing the group leaving the store in a grey, Kia K5 registered to James Steven Haithcox of 159 Hugo Lane in Statesville.  

 Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol immediately responded to 159 Hugo Lane in an attempt to locate the suspect’s and the vehicle. Once the deputies arrived, they observed the suspect Kia in the front yard with a large television sticking out of the trunk. The deputies then surrounded the house and attempted to get someone to come to the door, but no one did. Due to the number of outstanding arrest warrants, and previous statements made by Nicholas Johnson, about how he would never go back to jail, coupled with the fact he had stolen several firearms recently, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office SERT Team was activated to assist in apprehending Johnson. 

 When the SERT Team members arrived, along with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Bearcat, SERT Team members were able to safely maneuver to take positions surrounding the home, and began giving orders to those in the home to come out, while being safe behind cover.  

 After several attempts were made to call the individuals in the home to come out, Haithcox, Matheson, and Burchette finally exited from the front of the residence, where they were taken into custody by deputies. The suspects were questioned as to where Johnson was, and the three confirmed Nicholas Johnson was still inside the residence refusing to come out. The deputies continued their attempts to communicate with Johnson to surrender but he refused. 

 After several hours with no response from Johnson, a Search Warrant was obtained which allowed deputies to make forced entry into the home. After multiple warnings were given over a loud speaker, gas was deployed in to the residence. SERT team members were forced to enter the home and search for Johnson after he failed to comply 

 After searching the main portion of the residence and not locating Johnson, a thermal imaging camera was used and located Johnson hiding in the attic. Johnson was then confronted, given commands, and was taken into custody without any further incident. 

 Johnson was transported to Iredell Memorial Hospital where he was medically checked before being taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. 

Nicholas Dale Johnson was charged with: Two Counts of Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering, and Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer. Johnson was served with several outstanding felony arrest warrants consisting of Felony Breaking and Entering, and Larceny charges. He was appeared before Magistrate J. Hollar who issued a bond of 610,000.00 dollars secured bond on all charges.

 Kimberly Gayle Matheson was charged with: Two Counts of Felony Breaking and Entering, Two Counts of Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering, and Felony Possession of Stolen Property.  Matheson appeared before Magistrate J. Hollar who issued her a 20,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.  

Laura Ann Burchette was charged with: Two Counts of Felony Breaking and Entering, Two Counts of Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering, and Felony Possession of Stolen Property. Magistrate J. Hollar issued Burchette a 15,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.

 James Steven Haithcox was charged with: Misdemeanor Harboring/ Aiding Certain Persons.  He appeared before Magistrate J. Hollar who issued a 5,000.00 dollar secured bond on this charge.

Nicholas Dale Johnson, 28 Years Old

312 North Bost Street

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

610,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

 Criminal history: Two Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Two Counts of Flee to Elude Arrest in a Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor Obstructing Justice, Misdemeanor Larceny, DWI Level 3, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Breaking or Entering, Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods, Two Counts of Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, Felony Breaking or Entering, Felony Larceny.

 Currently on Probation for: Felony Breaking or Entering, Felony Larceny, Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense. He was entered as a Wanted Absconder by North Carolina Probation.

James Steven Haithcox, 68 Years Old

159 Hugo Lane

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

 5,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

 Criminal history: DWI Level 5, DWI Level 2,   and other driving related charges.

Kimberly Gayle Matheson, 48 Years Old

312 North Bost Street

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

 25,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

 Criminal history: Misdemeanor Public Assistance Fraud, Misdemeanor Attempt to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Forgery, Two Counts of Obtain Property by False Pretense, Felony Concealment of a Death, Felony Trafficking in Opium or Heroin, DWI Level 5, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Six Counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Second Degree Trespassing, Misdemeanor Assault.

 Johnson had posted bond four days earlier for similar charges.

Laura Ann Burchette, 33 Years Old

5356 BJ Drive

Conover, North Carolina 28613

 15,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

 Criminal history: Driving related charges: