Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: An investigation was initiated by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division based on numerous reports of catalytic converters being cut off and removed from vehicles across the county.
During the course of this investigation, detectives gathered enough evidence to identify Matthew Lamonte Cowan as a suspect. Cowan had previously been charged for other similar incidents to include stealing a battery and two catalytic converters from a church bus, and he had stolen a catalytic converter and attempted to steal a second from a local business in Statesville.
Detectives, based on the information they had gathered, for Matthew Lamonte Cowan, obtained arrest warrants.
Additional information was received, by the detectives about his location on Crest Drive in Eastern Iredell County. When deputies arrived at the home, they spoke with Trena Blackmon who also resides at the residence. Blackmon denied Cowan was in the residence, and would not let detectives in to search. Detectives advised Blackmon they were going to apply for a search warrant to search for Cowan and evidence in this case. While detectives were securing the house to make sure all occupants were outside, Cowan was located hiding in a bedroom and was arrested without incident.
Trena Denise Blackmon was arrested for Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct and Delay of a Law Enforcement Officer.
After securing the search warrant, deputies and detectives executed it. Detectives located catalytic converters, tools used to remove the catalytic converters, and other various vehicle parts. Detectives also found marijuana, un-prescribed Xanax, and drug paraphernalia inside the residence.
Matthew Lamonte Cowan was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where he the following arrest warrants were served; Three Counts of Felony Larceny of Vehicle Parts, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property, Misdemeanor Larceny, Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule VI, Misdemeanor, Possession of Schedule IV, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Resist, Delay, and Obstruct a Law Enforcement Officer. Cowan appeared before Magistrate D. Chambers who issued a 40,000.00 dollars secured bond on these charges.
Trena Denise Blackmon received a 2,000.00 dollars secured bond by Magistrate D. Chambers for her charge.
This investigation is ongoing and detectives are working with surrounding counties and agencies and sharing information. Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has also charged Cowan with similar crimes that occurred in their jurisdiction.
Matthew Lamonte Cowan, was charged on January 29, 2020 for similar offenses and issued a 25,000.00 dollar secured bond for those charges. Cowan was able to post bond on the same day, and those charges are still pending in court at this time.
Matthew Lamonte Cowan, 34 Years Old
120 Crest Drive
Statesville, North Carolina
40,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.
Criminal history: Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Minor Present,
Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and multiple driving related charges.
Trena Denise Blackmon, 47 Years Old
120 Crest Drive
Statesville, North Carolina
2,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.
Criminal history: Misdemeanor Obstructing Justice, Sell or Distribute Tobacco to a Minor, Misdemeanor Possession of Non-Tax Paid Liquor, Misdemeanor Maintain a Vehicle to Sell or Use Controlled Substance, multiple driving related charges.