Accused Thief Arrested After Returning To Area, Police Say

SMITHFIELD – A man accused of stealing thousands of dollars in tools from a parked vehicle outside a Smithfield store was arrested after reportedly returning to the same area just hours later.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, a Four Oaks man told Smithfield Police that while he was shopping inside Lowe’s Home Improvement at 1230 North Brightleaf Boulevard, someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole approximately $2,500 in work tools along with $135 in cash.

Security footage captured a suspect vehicle in the parking lot around the time of the theft. A few hours later, a Smithfield officer on routine patrol in the same area spotted the vehicle and made contact with the driver.

The driver was identified as Stephen Dennis Williams, 63, of Selma. Following an interview with detectives, Williams allegedly confessed to the theft and admitted he had already sold the stolen tools to a vendor at a nearby flea market.

Investigators were able to recover all of the stolen tools from the vendor. However, the $135 in cash was not recovered.

Williams was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, felony larceny, and felony obtaining property by false pretense.

Smithfield Police say Williams is also a person of interest in at least two other recent thefts involving tools stolen from vehicles in the Lowe’s parking lot. The investigation is ongoing.