School activity bus stolen in North Carolina; man arrested

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Chad Dwayne Giddens, 37, was arrested for stealing a school bus, Richmond County Sheriffs said.

On May 29, a deputy noticed a bypass cord connecting a meter base from one residence to another that was supposed to be unoccupied.

The deputy contacted the homeowner and she stated that the residence should be unoccupied and asked if they could come in and look around.

While on the property, police noticed a school activity bus parked between the two residences. After contacting the school bus garage, it was confirmed that the bus had been stolen from their property.

Deputies reviewed security video and identified Giddens of Ellerbe as the suspect who took the bus.

Deputies found Giddens hiding in the closet of the unoccupied residence.

Giddens was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering, felony injury to utility company property, and felony theft of a motor vehicle.

He is currently being held without bail at the Richmond County Jail.