Retail theft investigation reveals alleged scheme to resell stolen guns – WSOC TV

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

HICKORY, N.C. — Deputies say they are investigating an “organized criminal retail theft ring” at a Hickory business.

Investigators said they seized dozens of guns belonging to the Gold King and his owner, Marty Christopher McDaniel. They said more than 20 guns were stolen.

Channel 9's Dave Faherty first broke the news of the investigation earlier this week. Sheriff's deputies told Faherty they have already recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.

( PREVIOUS: Deputies believe popular Hickory business linked to organized retail theft )

Search warrants indicate the items were stolen from big box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart and Target. Investigators said hours later that the Gold King would sell them on eBay accounts.

Investigation of the Golden King A search warrant was executed Monday evening at a popular jewelry store in Hickory, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. On Tuesday, investigators returned to search the business again.

On Monday, Faherty spotted sheriff's deputies at the Gold King, where they said they spent hours recovering the stolen property.

According to court documents, store theft investigators captured footage of the thefts and then monitored the Gold King. The search warrants contain photos of people stealing items from stores and then bringing them to Gold King, such as a smoker stolen from Home Depot that was taken to Gold King to be resold.

During the search of the Gold King and its owner's home, police also seized 57 firearms, more than 20 of which were stolen.

Stolen weapons Deputies say they are investigating an “organized criminal retail theft ring” at a business in Hickory. Investigators said they seized dozens of guns belonging to the Gold King and his owner, Marty Christopher McDaniel. They said more than 20 guns were stolen.

Several guns were reportedly stolen from Brandi Chambers' family in Lincolnton. She said they belonged to her grandfather.

“It’s a crazy piece of history that I thought was gone. It’s nice to see them here and OK,” Chambers said. “We didn’t think we’d get them back, so this means everything.”

McDaniel, the owner, was charged with conspiracy and obtaining property by false pretenses. He declined to speak with Faherty about the case, but spoke with Channel 9 in 2015 after helping deputies recover stolen antiques in Alexander County by photographing the items he purchased and sharing these photos with law enforcement via an online service.

( READ MORE: Deputies: 2 arrested, accused of stealing $200,000 in antiques )

“We supported the police. We worked with law enforcement. We do what we have to do, we do what we are supposed to do,” he said then.

Deputies say they filled a 20-foot rental truck with the stolen merchandise. They said much of that information would remain in evidence until the case goes to court.

Now, deputies are working to return stolen guns to their rightful owners.

“There was an effort to resell these guns,” said Maj. Aaron Turk of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. “They were stolen from our county and surrounding counties.”

In a text message, McDaniel's attorney said “he maintains his innocence.” McDaniel messaged Faherty on Facebook saying “they took stupid trash from the store…the community has been good to me.” »

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