Staff Writer

Stolen sports drinks going through an auction at Whitmire helped Union County deputies crack a case that has led to the break-up of a multi-county theft ring.

Sheriff Howard Wells said so far 199 warrants have been signed in 39 break-ins attributed to a York County father and son and the son's friend. Wells said a fourth suspect is being sought in the case.

Held in the Union County Jail on charges of grand larceny and third- degree burglary are Ted Robert Brindle, 30, and David Michael Canupp, 21, both of 393 Love Road, McConnells. Franklin Davies Canupp Jr., also of York County, David's father, is being held in the York County Jail.

They are accused of taking items worth $3,700 from the Union County Motorcross Association on 2195 Carlisle-Whitmire Highway, Carlisle. The theft was discovered on Sept. 17. Among the items taken were six cases of Vitamin Water and Powerade drinks.

Wells said Jonathan Ammons saw the drinks go through his auction house in Whitmire, read an article about the theft in The Union Daily Times and contacted the sheriff's office.

The case was investigated by Lts. Terry Humphries, Kenneth Riddle, Robbie Hines and Al Black. They set up surveillance in Whitmire waiting on the suspects to bring more items to the auction. They were assisted by Whitmire Police officers and Chief Jeremiah Sinclair.

When the men reappeared at the auction, they brought a quantity of woodworking items. They gave the Union County officers consent to keep the items to check if they were stolen.

“Every piece was identified by a victim in Union County, N.C., as coming out of his wood shop,” Humphries said.

Officers were led to a storage building in York County where some of the stolen items were stored. Officers recovered a quantity of items, but were told the men had left with a U-Haul full the day before.

“They broke into houses, storage buildings, businesses, a paint ball center, a rodeo and stole saddles, several hunt camps; it was unbelievable the list of stuff that was stolen,” Humphries said. “They took space boots, exercise machines, power tools - they specialized in power tools.”

In Chester County, the four men are accused of 15 break-ins, resulting in 55 arrest warrants. In York County, 132 warrants have been signed in 22 break-ins. Six warrants were signed in the Union County, N.C.

Suspicious fire

The sheriff's office is investigating a fire that burned a building on a church's property.

Kelly-Kelton Fire Chief Kim Hill told Deputy James Kershaw that firefighters were called to Bethany AME Church in Jonesville around 2:30 a.m. Monday.

An small, vacant building on the church property which had no power burned. Hill told Kershaw she believed the fire was intentionally set.

The fire was called in by two people passing by in a vehicle.

Damage was estimated at $1,000.