$200K Worth Of Property Seized In Construction-Theft Ring

The theft ring, investigators said, operated in Wake County and at least three other counties.

"(It) snowballed, we know, to Wake County, Granville County -- and probably Franklin County," said investigator Steve Lyles with the Vance County Sheriff's Office. "We've identified six different cases in Vance County."

Authorities said a local contractor stashed the stolen goods in more than a half-dozen of his buildings around Vance County.

Three Henderson residents, Chris Clopton, Makia Purnell and Candice Pernell, are in jail charged in the theft. At least two more people could be arrested before investigators wrap up the case.

Most of the stolen merchandise has been recovered, but Lyles said there could be more left to recover.

"I would say, at this time, we have another $50,000 worth of stolen stuff that we are looking at recovering," he said.