LOCAL COUPLE ARRESTED FOR THEFTS

Joshua Brent Gibby

Cheynne Spicola

Murphy, NC— Joshua Brent Gibby, a 31 year old man and Cheyenne Spicola a 20 year old female who both listed Marble North Carolina as their residence were arrested by Deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop.

On February 22, 2010 in the afternoon hours, Deputy Payne of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling in the area of Coalville Road, Marble North Carolina when he stopped a vehicle in which both Gibby and Spicola were occupants because of a child safety restraint violation. During a wants, warrants, and registration check information was provided that Gibby was not licensed to drive and further that he had outstanding felony warrants which had been issued for a previous incident investigated by investigators of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office where Gibby was accused of feloniously converting property at a residence where Gibby had previously lived. Deputy Mckinny, of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office and personnel from the North Carolina Highway Patrol arrived to assist. During a search of the vehicle that Gibby and Spicola had occupied several pounds of copper was found.

Copper theft in the Cherokee County North Carolina area has been on the rise over the last few months. Several reports have been taken and are being investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Efforts are being undertaken by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to work with local scrap dealers in identifying individuals who are selling the scrap copper and other metals in an effort to identify individuals that are stealing copper.

North Carolina general statutes provide It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or have in his possession on highways of this State, in any vehicle other than a vehicle used in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of transporting such copper, an amount of such copper of an aggregate weight of more than 25 pounds, unless such person shall have in his possession

(1) A bill of sale pertaining to such copper signed by (i) a holder of a sales and use tax registration number from the North Carolina Department of Revenue; or (ii) an authorized wholesaler engaged in the sale of such copper; or (iii) a registered dealer in scrap metals; or (iv) a seller of antiques or objects of art; or

(2) In the event the person from whom such copper was purchased was other than one of the above enumerated persons or firms, a certificate of origin signed by the sheriff, or his designated representative, of the county in which the purchase was made.

Gibby and Spicola both were given unsecured bonds and are awaiting initial appearance in Cherokee County District Court in March 2011.