On May 30, 2023, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a residential breaking and entering in the Hutch Mountain Road area of Henderson County. The incident involved the theft of valuable property, including three vehicles, one utility trailer, numerous firearms, and various other items. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office Property Crimes Unit, recognized for its expertise, was immediately deployed to conduct a comprehensive investigation, gather evidence, and conduct interviews.
Through an intensive and diligent investigation, the Property Crimes Unit successfully recovered a substantial portion of the stolen property, including two vehicles and twenty-two firearms. Additionally, the detectives were able to identify and locate five individuals connected to this incident, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
The following individuals have been formally charged in connection with the crimes related to this incident:
- Austin Evenson Bower (Age 34) - Henderson County Resident
- Felony Breaking or Enter of a Building (X4)
- Felony Conspiracy (X2)
- Felony Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle
- Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle
- Felony Larceny After Break/Enter (X3)
- Felony Larceny of Firearm (X14)
- Felony Possession of Stolen Firearm (X15)
- Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense
- Felony Larceny
- Felony Possession of Stolen Goods/Property
- Dakota Alex Searcy (Age 27) - Henderson County Resident
- Felony Breaking or Enter of a Building (X2)
- Felony Larceny After Break/Enter
- Felony Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle
- Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle
- Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Felony Conspiracy (X4)
- Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense
- Felony Possession of Stolen Firearm (X3)
- Felony Attempt to Obtain Property by False Pretense
- Cheyenne Dakota Pressley (Age 27) - Henderson County Resident
- Felony Conspiracy
- Felony Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle
- Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle
- Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense
- Felony Possession of Stolen Firearm
- Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
- Nathan Christopher Hiles (Age 49) - Buncombe County Resident
- Felony Breaking or Enter of a Building
- Felony Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle
- Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle
- Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Felony Conspiracy
- Felony Possession of Stolen Firearm
Detectives have also obtained the following warrants on Douglas Ricky Harris (Age 49) - Buncombe County Resident
- Felony Breaking or Enter of a Building,
- Felony Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle,
- Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle,
- Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Felony Conspiracy.
Harris is presently WANTED by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office on the above warrants, anyone with information as to his whereabouts is ask to contact the HCSO at 828.697.4911 or use the “Submit A Tip” on the Sheriff’s Office Mobile App.
Sheriff Lowell Griffin commends the diligent efforts of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office Property Crimes Unit and expresses gratitude to the community for their cooperation during this investigation. The Sheriff's Office will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the law and protect our citizens from criminal activities.
