Richmond County man charged with stealing and selling SUV, domestic violence

ROCKINGHAM — A man facing domestic violence charges is also accused of stealing someone’s vehicle and selling it for scrap.

According to warrants, 25-year-old Braxton Montgomery Lewis stole a 2012 Ford Escape on Jan. 21 and sold the SUV — valued at $5,000 — to a local metal yard for $307.80.

Other warrants allege that Lewis hit a woman in the face on Jan. 2 and threatened to assault her again two days later.

Lewis was arrested on all warrants Jan. 23, with the following charges: larceny of a motor vehicle; obtaining property by false pretenses; misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; and communicating threats.

Richmond County Jail records show Lewis is also charged with domestic violence protection order violation and is being held on a combined $7,750 secured bond. (Note: the bond for the protection order is listed as “cash performance” with no dollar amount.)

Lewis is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 3 on the domestic violence charges and Feb. 13 for the charges related to the stolen vehicle.

Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Lewis has multiple convictions:

Richmond County

2020 - misdemeanor larceny; resisting a public officer; fleeing to elude arrest; failing to stop at an intersection with a flashing light
2022 - possession of a firearm by a felon; obtaining property by false pretenses; possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
2023 - misdemeanor larceny

Moore County

2020 - violation of a protective order (x3); assault on a female; common law false imprisonment; interfering with emergency communication
2023 - misdemeanor larceny

Montgomery County
2022 - driving while impaired

Cumberland County
2018 - simple assault; injury to personal property

Records show Lewis was released from prison in Februrary of 2024 and his parole ended Nov. 6.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.