Two Clinton men were arrested by Sampson County Sheriff’s investigators in two separate incidents that involved larcenies and left them with bonds of $12,000 and $15,000, respectively.

Spencer Todd Moore, 18, of 4545 Bradshaw Road, Clinton, was arrested Friday, Oct. 9, and charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods.

According to reports, Moore was being investigated in connection with a theft of a John Deere tractor at a residence on Honrine Road on Oct. 7. The tractor was valued at $12,000.

“Future investigation by our department showed that Moore was responsible for the theft of the tractor,” said Sampson County Sheriff Capt. Eric Pope. “He was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods.”

Moore was placed under a $12,000 bond and will make his first trial appearance on Friday, Oct. 16.

According to the N.C. Department of Corrections, Moore was convicted of felony breaking and entering on Jan. 16 of this year. He received a suspended sentence in the case.

In a separate incident, Jimmy Butler McKenzie, Jr., 41, of 905 White Oak Church Road, Clinton, was charged with injury to electric wires/equipment; larceny; and possession of stolen goods after an incident that took place on Oct. 7 at a South River Electric substation just outside of Clinton on Highway 701 North.

According to reports, deputies responded to a call at the substation in the late evening on Oct. 7. When they arrived on scene, they discovered that wire had been stolen and bolts had been moved on a gate protecting the station.

Investigators also discovered that inside the substation, bolts were removed from a transformer causing it to fall on a control panel, damaging the equipment. The stolen wire and damage were estimated at $6,340.

However, while investigators were still on scene, a 2003 black Chevy Z-71 was seen driving down the dirt road leading up to the substation, that was nestled deep in the wooded area.

Upon seeing the sheriff’s cruisers, the driver, made an “evasive” maneuver to leave the area.

Deputies caught up with the vehicle near Beaman Street in Clinton and arrested the driver, Jimmy McKenzie.

McKenzie was placed under a $15,000 bond and a will also have his first trial date Friday, Oct. 16.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.