Burke County Man Arrested for Stealing Musical Instruments from Church – Eric Harlan Queen Charged with Felony Offenses

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Burke County Sheriff
2. Church instrument theft arrest

A Burke County man was arrested for stealing musical instruments from a church in Connelly Springs, North Carolina. The pastor at First Baptist Icard church reported the break-in on March 16, with surveillance footage revealing the suspect making two trips and changing clothes. Authorities later found the stolen property at a residence on Icard Rhodhiss Road, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old Eric Harlan Queen. Queen was charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny, and possession of stolen goods. He also had an outstanding warrant for unlawful use of game land access. The stolen property was returned, and Queen appeared in court with a bond set at $30,500.

Man Arrested for Stealing Musical Instruments from Burke County Church

In a recent incident that has shocked the community, a Burke County man was apprehended for stealing musical instruments from a local church. The pastor of First Baptist Icard church on U.S. 70 SW reported to the authorities that the sanctuary had been broken into on March 16, with various items missing.

Suspect Caught on Surveillance

After reviewing surveillance footage, investigators discovered that the suspect had made two separate trips to the church and even changed clothes between the visits. The brazen act of theft left the congregation in disbelief and prompted an immediate investigation by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

Breakthrough in the Case

A breakthrough in the case came when authorities responded to an unrelated call on Icard Rhodhiss Road. Information received at the scene led detectives to believe that the suspect and stolen property were inside a nearby residence. Despite attempts to flee, the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Eric Harlan Queen of Connelly Springs, was eventually apprehended.

Stolen Property Recovered

Upon executing a search warrant at Queen’s residence, investigators recovered multiple items reported stolen from the church. Additionally, evidence found inside the property linked Queen to other breaking and entering incidents in the area. The stolen property was returned to the pastor of First Baptist Icard, bringing some relief to the congregation.

Legal Consequences

Eric Harlan Queen faced a slew of charges, including felony breaking and entering to a place of worship, felony larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen goods. He also had an outstanding warrant for misdemeanor unlawful use of a game land access area. Queen appeared in court and was assigned a bond of $30,500.

Community Response

The arrest of Eric Harlan Queen has left the community reeling, with many expressing shock and disappointment at the betrayal of trust. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and security measures to protect sacred spaces and communal property.

Despite the unsettling nature of the crime, the swift actions of law enforcement and the cooperation of the community led to the apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of stolen goods. The pastor and members of First Baptist Icard can now rest assured that justice has been served.