The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported the following, according to Major Anzell Harris:

Metal theft 

A Scotland Neck man was served with warrants for 21 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, stemming from a metal theft investigation by the Tarboro Police Department.

Warrants show that Douglas Pender, 45, allegedly received a total of $3,018.80 for the sale of copper wire to a recycling center in Halifax County between October 23, 2025, and March 18.

According to a warrant from the TPD, Pender — an employee of a wire and cable manufacturer at the time — allegedly stole 694 pounds of copper that had been delivered to his employer.

Harris said Pender had been selling the metal to a local recycling center.

HCSO Detective Sergeant I. Miller investigated the case and obtained warrants for Pender. 

He was served with the warrants Tuesday and is currently being held in the Halifax County Detention Center without bond. He has an April 22 appearance in Halifax County District Court and an April 15 probable cause hearing in Edgecombe County.

Larceny of a firearm 

On Sunday, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department located a 21-year-old woman wanted on HCSO warrants for breaking and entering, larceny of a firearm, and possession of a stolen weapon.

Alayna Acree, of Roanoke Rapids, allegedly broke into a dwelling last month and stole a Taurus 9mm handgun. 

Detective Sergeant G. Keel investigated the case and obtained warrants for Acree on April 2.

Acree remains in the Halifax County Detention Center on a $30,000 secured bond for Keel’s charges and a $6,000 secured bond for a misdemeanor probation violation. 

She has an April 22 district court date for the HCSO charges and a May 12 district court date for the probation violation.