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Man accused of stealing from homeowner group arrested

Lee County deputies returned to North Carolina Wednesday morning with a man accused of stealing nearly $315,000 from his homeowners association.

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Edward Fowler, embezzlement charge
SANFORD, N.C. — Lee County deputies returned to North Carolina Wednesday morning with a man accused of stealing nearly $315,000 from his homeowners association.

Edward Demond Fowler, 71, of 296 Fairway Lane in Sanford, was charged in May 2008 with embezzlement. He was the treasurer of the North Shore Property Owners Association, which represents owners in part of the gated Carolina Trace community, and was accused of stealing from the group.

Fowler didn't show up for a September court date in the case, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Authorities in Portsmouth, N.H., located Fowler a week ago in a motel, and Lee County investigators went to New Hampshire to bring him back to Sanford, where authorities said he would be jailed under a $500,000 bond.

Fowler also was arrested in New Hampshire after charges were filed against him last year. He then fought extradition for several months.

His wife, Helen Kathryn Fowler, 61, was charged with aiding and abetting embezzlement in the case.

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