BENSON POLICE DEPARTMENT
303 EAST CHURCH STREET
BENSON, NC 27504
TELEPHONE 919-894-3616 FAX 919-207-1993
- - -PRESS RELEASE- - -
October 26, 2007
On August 2, 2007, the offices of the Benson Veneer Company, located on South Market Street, were broken into, and a great deal of financial and personal information, including numerous documents, were taken. The intial investigation determined that an unknown suspect had entered through a window, and while several leads were followed up at the time, no immediate arrest was made.
In the weeks that followed, the Investigations Division continued to work on the case, and evidence was slowly gathered that led to the identification of a suspect, Jonathan L. Brown, of Dunn. On 10-4-2007, Brown was located and detained in Erwin, NC, by officers of the Erwin Police Department, and Investigations Division personnel. While Brown was being questioned, numerous financial documents taken from Benson Veneer, several Certificates of Benson Veneer Stock, and a company credit card, were found in his possession.
As a result of the investigation, and the recovered evidence, Lt. Greg Percy charged Brown on 10-4-2007 with Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny, Felony Possession of Stolen Goods, and 16 counts of Larceny of Chose in Action, and he was placed in the Johnston County Jail in Smithfield, under a $300,000 Secured Bond.
The continuing investigation revealed that approximately $5,000 worth of unauthorized financial transactions took place, using the recovered credit card, and the company's bank account information. On 10-25-2007, Lt. Percy charged Brown with an additional count of Larceny of Chose in Action, and 24 Felony counts of Identity Theft. The warrants were served on Brown at the Johnston County Jail, and he received an additional $500,000 Secured Bond.
Lt. Percy said Jonathan L. Brown, 37, of Dunn was not the only participant, but to this point, was the only person facing criminal charges. "We believe there was at least one other person involved, but Mr. Brown refused to cooperate with us in identifying other suspects, so he will be forced to take all the charges."
Other investigative avenues are being utilized at this time, to attempt to identify additional suspects, and Brown remains in custody under an $800,000 Secured Bond.
For any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Lt. Greg Percy at 919-894-2091. A photo of Brown is available from the Johnston County Jail.