HAMLET — A homeless man is facing charges after allegedly stealing from a resident and business in the Seaboard City.
One warrant alleges that 34-year-old Joseph Henne stole four large decorative stones, worth $250, from the yard of Esco Latimer on Nov. 29, 2025. The warrant was taken out by Latimer that day.
(NOTE: That warrant lists an address on Kent Street, however the later magistrate’s order lists him as homeless.)
It appears Henne wasn’t served until Feb. 18, when he was arrested without warrant for allegedly stealing 14 Caps Hash Holes pre-rolled hybrid THC cigarettes from Mo’s Tobacco in Hamlet.
Henne is also accused of not following the commands of the Hamlet Police officer who investigated the reported crime, as well as refusing to be handcuffed.
He was arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count of resisting a public officer.
Henne was booked into the Richmond County Jail on a combined $2,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 5 for the Latimer case and March 13 for the tobacco shop case.
Although records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show no prior convictions, court records show Henne was found guilty in 2008 of misdemeanor larceny and assault inflicting serious injury, and in 2021 of resisting a public officer.
Records show other prior charges, including assault and common law robbery, were dismissed.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
NOTE: This story was updated. 7:47 p.m. 2-18-26.
NOTE: This story was updated to correct spelling at 12:19 a.m 2-19-26.
