Hickory man arrested

on 26 charges connected

to business break-ins
By Melanie Marshall

The Boone Police Department has arrested the man they believe is responsible for a string of business break-ins over the span of four weeks.

Mitchell Franklin Damron, 32, of Hickory, was arrested Wednesday evening in connection to the early morning break-in of Denton Insurance on the N.C. 105 Extension.

Officers on patrol discovered the crime in progress; however, the suspect evaded arrest on foot at the time. Evidence at the scene led officers to Damron.

Arrest warrants were served by the Long View Police Department in Catawba County and BPD investigators transported Damron back to Boone. He was charged with felony breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, felony safecracking, injury to real property and attempted larceny.

Further investigation led officers to charge Damron in connection to the June 11 break-ins at Heritage Court on N.C. 105. Bridgeman DDS, Combs Tennant & Carpenter P.A., Sew and Sew Embroidery and High Country Association of Realtors were entered.

Cash, computers and electronic equipment were reported stolen.

Damron was charged with four counts of felony breaking and entering and four counts of felony larceny in connection to this incident.

On June 19, Gwyn R. Parson, CPA, Alray Tire of Boone, Blue Ridge Business Brokerage, Boone Realty and Wakeman Realty, all on “Realty Row,” fell victim to breaking and entering.

BPD has charged Damron with three counts of felony breaking and entering, two counts of felony larceny and four counts of injury to real property in this incident.

Damron has also been charged in connection to the June 26 break-ins of two businesses in the Shops of Shadowline plaza.

Sunfast Tanning and American General Finance were entered and an undisclosed amount of cash was reported stolen. This incident resulted in two counts of felony breaking and entering and two counts of felony larceny.

Damron is being held on the total of 26 charges and is scheduled to appear in district court on Aug. 28 in lieu of a secured $50,000 bond.