ELLERBE — A man and woman are facing nearly 50 felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with multiple camper break-ins at a hunting club.
According to court documents, deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the Southeast Hunt Club in Ellerbe on Aug. 26, where members said several trailers had been broken into and items were stolen including: ladder stands, lights, a table saw, sleeping bags, lanterns, chairs, trail cameras, a CB radio, animal hides, a television, propane tanks and a portable toilet.
Investigators say two camper trailers and a Ford pickup truck were also stolen.
Two days later, investigators say many of the stolen items, including one of the campers, were found at the Holly Grove Church Road home of Mary Elizabeth Monroe.
Monroe, 35, reportedly told investigators that 26-year-old Robert Aaron Callahan had been staying with her.
The other stolen camper was recovered on Sept. 3 from a man who said he paid Monroe $985 for the trailer and $40 for a metal vehicle partition.
In addition to the camper, Monroe is accused of selling two air conditioning units for $100; and a deer stand and trail camera for $60.
Monroe was arrested on Sept. 4 and charged with: 13 misdemeanor counts of injury to personal property; 11 felony counts of breaking or entering; 11 felony counts of larceny after breaking and entering; four counts of felony larceny; three counts of misdemeanor larceny; three felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses; two misdemeanor counts of trespassing on posted property; and one felony count of larceny of a motor vehicle.
Callahan was arrested on Sept. 9 and charged with: 13 misdemeanor counts of injury to personal property; 11 felony counts of breaking or entering; 11 felony counts of larceny after breaking or entering; four counts of felony larceny; three counts of misdemeanor larceny; to misdemeanor counts of trespassing on posted property; and one felony count each of larceny of a motor vehicle and obtaining property by false pretenses.
Monroe and Callahan are being held in the Richmond County Jail, each under a $75,000 secured bond. They are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 17.
Online court records show Monroe has another court appearance on citations from the N.C. State Highway Patrol including having no operator’s license or insurance and not wearing a seat belt.
Monroe was convicted in 2018 for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction. Her probation was revoked and she spent about three months behind bars.
Callahan was convicted Sept. 9 for possession of a controlled substance and received a 24-month suspended sentence, records show.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
