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MONROE, NC – Two inmates are under investigation, accused of stealing drugs and cash while working in a local prison program.
A team of 14 inmates from the Brown Correctional Institution in Polkton, NC were working on heating and air renovations at a Highway Patrol Building off Highway 74 in Monroe.
The North Carolina Department of Corrections confirms two inmates found a key to an evidence locker. On Monday, they allegedly took 5.5 grams of heroin and $1,000 cash.
“These are minimum security inmates, who are typically close to release,” explains Keith Acree, spokesperson for the NC Department of Corrections.
Acree says the inmates had three supervisors and one correctional officer assigned to them.
“We’re looking into the situation internally to see how these inmates were able to do this,” he says.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey tells WCCB they’ve recovered about $800 of the $1,000, but the heroin is still missing.
Residents like Norm Voelzow say they probably needed more supervision.
“Well, somebody wasn’t keeping an eye on them or it wouldn’t have happened, I’m sure. It’s a shame where it happened,” he says.
The Department of Public Safety says it can save up to 30 percent on construction costs through the inmate construction program.
Acree says the thefts are not typical of the program.
“You can’t be a misbehavior or rule breaker and get into this program or stay in this program,” he says.
Charges against the two inmates are expected in the next few days. The SBI is also investigating. The Monroe project is expected to eventually resume with a different crew of inmates.
