Three Charged For Firearm Theft In Lincolnton

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Three suspects have been charged in the theft of firearms valued at $3,700 from a home east of Lincolnton.

An investigation was sparked after the larceny of guns from a home on Fran Avenue in Lincolnton on July 2. During the investigation, three suspects were identified and charged with taking four firearms valued at $3,700, according to detectives.

Evidence was collected from witnesses along with video surveillance from the area which led to the arrests of 35-year-old Melissa Cherry-Pastula of Lincolnton, 18-year-old Preston Chase Lowery of Lincolnton, and 19-year-old Justin Shoemake of Conover, deputies said.

The three suspects were each charged with 2nd degree burglary, conspiracy to commit 2nd degree burglary, four counts of larceny of a firearm and four counts of possession of a stolen firearm, according to a news release.

Shoemake was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under an $80,000 secured bond. Cherry-Pastula was jailed under a $60,000 secured bond and Lowery under a $58,000 secured bond.