On August 31, 2023, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to NC Hwy 62, Trinity, in reference to a larceny of a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, the victim stated Adam Lee Wardell, who is known by the victim and had been trespassed from the property earlier in the day, had come back to the residence and stole a vehicle from his driveway. The vehicle had a tracking device. Thomasville Police Department was contacted to be on the lookout for the vehicle on East Main Street in their jurisdiction. While investigating the larceny, the victim advised that Wardell had apparently gone inside of his residence because his house keys and the car keys were missing also.
While en route to the magistrate’s office, Thomasville Police Department advised they had stopped Wardell operating the stolen vehicle at a pawn shop in Thomasville. The officer also advised they had located additional items inside the vehicle, contacted the owner to let him know his vehicle had been recovered, and that he was responding to identify any of the property inside of the vehicle that might have been his as well. Thomasville Police Department transported Wardell to the Davidson County Detention Center. A Davidson County magistrate found probable cause for the Thomasville Police Department charges of felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond on their warrant and a first appearance was set for September 27, 2023, in Davidson County District Court.
Following that confirmation of what recovered items were the victim’s, charges were sought for felony larceny of the stolen vehicle, misdemeanor first-degree trespass, and misdemeanor larceny. The magistrate found probable cause to issue the warrant for Adam Wardell. He was served the warrant at the Davidson County Detention Center and issued a $10,000 secured bond. A first appearance was set for September 29, 2023, in Randolph County District Court.
Due to other items located in the vehicle not belonging to the victim in this incident, Randolph County Criminal Investigations was contacted for further investigation. The serial numbers of the other property have not been reported stolen at this time. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
Name of Defendant:
Adam Lee Wardell
Age: 40
