Sheriff Darren Campbell stated that on Wednesday May 31, 2017 a report was filed with the Sheriff’s Office for a larceny of two John Deere mowers from James River Equipment.  Deputies responded to the business, gathered information about the larceny, collected evidence, and spoke with neighbors that lived near the business.

This case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Wesley Gregory for further investigation. During the investigation detectives learned, from speaking with neighbors, that a silver colored Dodge Truck was seen on a dead end street behind the business on Monday May 29, 2017.  The truck was driven by a black male, and he was pulling a black utility trailer with a push mower loaded on the trailer.  As Detectives continued to search for evidence, they discovered that a black male driving a silver Dodge pick-up truck pulling a black utility trailer came into James River Equipment on Friday May 26, 2017 and purchased an ignition key for the John Deere zero turn lawn mowers.  The male was wearing a shirt that read MG Landscaping Innovations across the front.

As the investigation continued Detectives began the process of determining the identity of the man that was seen in the area on Monday May 29, 2017 and also purchased the single ignition key for the mowers on Friday May 26, 2017.  It was learned that the subject in question was James Michael McClelland, who had several recent addresses associated that belonged to businesses.

 Detectives gathered information that a silver Dodge pick-up truck and a black utility trailer had been seen parked at a residence off Jane Sowers Rd Statesville.  Investigators were able to locate a black utility trailer parked beside a house at 107 Green Meadow Ln Statesville, and loaded on the back of the trailer was a John Deere zero turn mower that appeared to be the same model as one of the mowers that had been stolen from James River Equipment earlier in the week.  No one was at home at the residence, therefore Detectives obtained a Search Warrant for the residence and the curtilage surrounding the residence.

During the execution of the Search Warrant it was discovered that the John Deere Mower that was loaded on the back of the trailer was indeed one of the mowers that had been stolen from James River Equipment earlier in the week. 

 Also, during the execution of the Search Warrant a Bobcat zero turn mower was located in the enclosed carport.  Detectives discovered that it was reported stolen in August 2012 from Sharpe’s Lawn Equipment & Service.  Both mowers were seized and returned to the owners.

Det. Sgt. Gregory spoke with James Michael McClelland before the Search Warrant was executed by telephone, and he stated that he was not in town, and he would not be able to respond to come home for approximately 3 hours.  McClelland later agreed to meet with Detectives at the Sheriff’s Office for an interview.

During the interview process James Michael McClelland claimed that he had bought the mowers from another male and was not responsible for the larceny of the mowers from James River Equipment.

McClelland was charged with two counts of felony larceny and one count of felony possession of stolen goods.  McClelland appeared before Magistrate Thompson concerning the charges, and McClelland was given a $7,500.00 Secured Bond.  McClelland has a pending court date in Statesville District Court.