The alleged theft of a belt and jeggings from the Dollar General in Roseboro on Thursday landed two Sampson residents in jail under a significant bond after they were also linked two a residential break-in at the end of 2016 in addition to the shoplifting incident.
Auston Lee Bryant, 23, of 336 Zoar Church Road, Salemburg, was charged with shoplifting-concealment of goods and possession of stolen property. Justina Skye Phillips, 24, of 2883 Old Mintz Hwy., Roseboro, was charged with larceny and possession of stolen goods. Bond for each was set at $5,000.
The two were arrested at the Dollar General on N.C. 24 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) in Roseboro on Thursday, just before 2 p.m. According to reports, the two were charged after a belt and a pair of jeggings, valued at a total of $16, were reported stolen and subsequently recovered.
“Deputies responded to the Dollar General store in Roseboro in reference to shoplifters,” Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith said. “Upon arrival, deputies detained the suspects in regards to the shoplifting complaint.”
The two were each charged in connection with that incident. Further investigation revealed that both Bryant and Phillips had outstanding warrants against them on break-in and larceny offenses stemming from an incident that occurred on Reagan Lane, Autryville, in December 2016.
Bryant was charged with attempting to break and enter a building, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods/property. Phillips was charged with burglary and larceny after breaking and entering. Additionally Bryant was charged with fictitious information to an officer because he gave a fake name, authorities said. He also was served with failure to appear on a charge of probation violation.
Bryant and Phillips were placed under secured bonds of $25,000 and $20,000, respectively, to go along with the $5,000 bond amounts in the shoplifting incident.