On December 8, 2022, while the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling the area of US Hwy 64 E., just outside city limits of Asheboro, deputies observed a vehicle pulling out from a trail on property that is the future site of the Randolph County Agricultural Center and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Deputies were aware that there had been several larcenies reported in that stretch of road in recent months as well as theft of telephone wire in the area. Upon approach, deputies observed a large amount of telephone cable in the bed of the truck that was covered in fresh mud. The deputy observed the driver also had what appeared to be fresh mud similar to the mud on the wire. At that point, the driver, identified as Justin Davis Phillips, and the passenger, identified as Aaron Steven Coble, were detained.
Additional deputies went to the site where the subjects were observed leaving to investigate further details regarding the wire and if that was where it had been taken from. They advised that they had located a section of telephone wire that had been damaged and taken from that location. Photos were obtained of that site.
Both subjects were transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where the magistrate found probable cause for charges of felony injuring utility wires/fixture, felony possession of stolen goods/property, felon injury to property to obtain nonferrous metal and misdemeanor injury to real property. Coble was issued a $10.000 secured bond. Phillips was also charged with misdemeanor driving while license revoked –impaired revoked. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond. Both have a first appearance December 9, 2022, in Randolph County District Court.
Criminal Investigations was contacted and advised of the incident due to having other active cases involving wiring being stolen from the area. The investigation is ongoing.
Names of Defendants:
Justin Davis Phillips Aaron Steven Coble
Age: 37 Age: 22