HAMLET — Police have identified the man they say is responsible for a break-in and larceny at a local metal fabrication facility.
The Hamlet Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating 49-year-old Billy Locklear Jr. of Laurel Hill, who they say broke into FerroFab the early morning hours of Dec. 7. Warrants for his arrest have been obtained.
Investigators say Locklear is a former employee of FerroFab, who was “let go” on Nov. 30.
The facility was broken into on Dec. 7.
Police released security video of the break-in on Dec. 15.
The video appears to show the suspect pushing one security camera up, presumably to avoid being seen.
The next shot is from a camera inside the facility, that appears to show the suspect walking in from a small bay door with what looks like a large piece of cardboard over his head.
Investigators say the suspect damaged two vending machines and stole equipment during the 10 minutes he was inside.
Locklear has a long history of criminal convictions in Scotland County, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction.
In 1997, Locklear was convicted on eight felony counts of forgery and two felonious counts of breaking and entering and larceny.
In addition to larceny and fraud convictions, records show Locklear has also been convicted of burglary, fleeing to elude arrest, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and attempted riot or civil disorders.
Locklear has also been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Guilford County (1998) and resisting an officer in Moore County (2004).
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information on Locklear’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Capt. Randy Dover at 910-582-2551 or 910- 995-6633, or Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454.
