Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 9, 2020, the owner of Hoover’s Lawn & Garden, filed a report with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office stating someone had stolen several commercial lawn mowers from the business.

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives responded to the scene. Detectives gathered evidence showing two males entered the property, and then stole four lawn mowers, two generators, and a small battery charger.  The business estimated the dollar value on the stolen items at approximately 40,000.00 dollars.

Detectives canvassed the area speaking with neighbors. They then searched the wooded area near the business. They located three of the four stolen lawn mowers. After analyzing all the evidence collected at the business and from witness statements, detectives were able to identify the two suspects as James Matthew Lahargoue and Chino Steven Smith. Based on the evidence, detectives were also able to obtain numerous felony arrest warrants on the two suspects.

On Thursday April 9, 2020, James Matthew Lahargoue, was arrested without incident and charged with; Felony Attempted Breaking and or Entering to a Building,  Felony Conspire to Attempted Breaking and or Entering to a Building, (3) Counts of Felony Larceny,  Conspire to Commit Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Larceny, and Misdemeanor First Degree Trespassing. Lahargoue was taken before Magistrate D. Chambers at the Iredell County Detention Center who issued a 50,000.00 dollars secured bond on these charges.

On Friday, April 10, 2020, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad deputies, Sergeant D. Stutts, and Deputy K. Hall observed Chino Steven Smith operating a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, on Garner Bagnal Boulevard in Statesville. The deputies attempted to stop the vehicle; however the driver refused to stop. Sergeant Stutts and Deputy Hall pursued the vehicle to Business Park Road where the driver pulled to the side of the road, and was taken into custody without further incident.

Chino Steven Smith was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where he was served with warrants for; Felony Fleeing to Elude, Felony Attempted Breaking and/or Entering to a Building, Felony Conspire to Attempted Breaking and or Entering to a Building, Three Counts of Felony Larceny, Conspire to Commit Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Larceny, and Misdemeanor First Degree Trespassing and other traffic offenses. He received a total of a 75,000.00 dollars secured bond from Magistrate T. Thompson.

After Smith’s arrest, detectives were able to obtain a Search Warrant for 1202 Brown Summit Avenue in Statesville. The detectives located and recovered the zero turn lawn mower and battery charger, which had been stolen from the business.

Through the investigation, detectives were able to recover all the items which were stolen from Hoover’s Lawn and Garden.

James Matthew Lahargoue, 36 Years Old

1202 Brown Summit Avenue

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

50,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

Criminal history: Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Larceny, Misdemeanor Assault and Battery, Misdemeanor Communicating Threats, Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Going Armed to the Terror of the People, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Misdemeanor Interfere with an Electronic Monitoring Device, Misdemeanor Shoplifting by Concealment, Three Counts of Felony Identity Theft, Three Counts of Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, and Misdemeanor Criminal Contempt.

Chino Steven Smith, 42 Years Old

4922 Wilkesboro Highway

Statesville, North Carolina 28625

75,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

Criminal history: Two Counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Assault, Misdemeanor unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, DWI Level 4, Misdemeanor Common Law Forgery, Felony Possession of Stolen Property, Four Counts of Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense, and Three Counts of Felony Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle.