ELIZABETHTOWN — A joint license checking station manned by Bladen County Sheriff’s Office deputies and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers resulted in the recovery of stolen weapons, seizure of more than $6,000 and the arrest of three Columbus County individuals.
According to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker, a stop was made in the early morning hours of Sunday.
“When one vehicle saw the checkpoint the driver turned around and fled,” McVicker said. “Deputies pursued the vehicle a short distance and the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
“An AR15 rifle was left in the vehicle and after checking the serial numbers the officers determined the gun was reported stolen from Columbus County,” he added. “Deputies seized the weapon and the vehicle.”
McVicker said a short time later another vehicle tried to avoid the check station by pulling into a driveway of a residence. Upson investigation of the vehicle, deputies located two stolen semi-automatic handguns, a concealed handgun and over $6,000 in cash. Both handguns were also reported stolen from Columbus County.
Three individuals were arrested:
Bryan Daquan Marlowe, 21, of Clarendon. Marlowe was charged with two counts of felonious possession of a stolen firearm, one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of felonious possession of a Schedule II narcotic (cocaine). Bond was set at $31,000.
Marty Davene Soles, 24, of Tabor City. Soles was charged with simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana), possession of marijuana paraphernalia, carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of felony possession of a stolen firearm. Bond was set at $22,250.
Scotty Nealy, 23, of Tabor City. Nealy was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of felony possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $32,000.