ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County sheriff’s deputies put an end to what they believe was a three-county flimflam operation with the arrest of two local individuals on Sunday.

Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker said the investigation was sparked recently by the report of two people going door-to-door selling tickets for a plate sale at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church and Bladen Crisis Assistance.

““The two operated as a team, with the woman going up to the home or business while the man sat in a black pickup,” McVicker said. “The female would take an order, write down the address and collect the money and tell the victim a plate would be delivered. The church and Bladen Crisis Assistance began to get calls from people around the county and even from Lumberton. The crime was reported and my office put out a request to the public through the media for information on the pair after we had a good description.”

McVicker said the following day that information came pouring in from victims and would-be victims in Bladen, Pender and Robeson counties. The victims were able to give descriptions and names and, after further investigation, Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to obtain a warrant on the female. He said the two were located Sunday afternoon and arrested.

Arrested were:

— Shana Lynn Horne, 36, of White Oak. Horne was charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense and is currently in Bladen County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

— Jason Lee Todd, 36, of Bladenboro. Todd was charged with possession of a fictitious/altered registration card/tag. He is also in Bladen County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond. Todd was driving a black Z71 pickup which was seized and towed.

McVicker said the two are suspects in several other cases of obtaining property by false pretense in all three counties and the investigation is ongoing with multiple charges expected to be filed against them. The pair are also suspects in several break-ins of local churches recently and also residential break-ins.

“I wish to thank the public and media for helping us in this investigation,” said McVicker. “The media helped us by running the story and the public helped by calling in tips and providing information that lead to the identification of these individuals.”

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

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W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com