NORTH CAROLINA — Two people are facing multiple felony charges after investigators say they stole a motorcycle, attempted to sell or trade it online, and tried to disguise it to avoid law enforcement detection.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office arrested Christian Matthew Heath, 25, of Richlands, on Dec. 11 in connection with the investigation.
Deputies allege Heath stole a 2016 black Kawasaki ZX1400J motorcycle valued at approximately $8,000. According to arrest warrants, Heath attempted to sell or trade the motorcycle on Facebook while knowing it was stolen and later spray-painted the bike in an effort to make it unrecognizable.
A second suspect, Betty Anjelique Brooks, 35, is also charged in the case. Warrants allege Brooks conspired with Heath to obtain the motorcycle by false pretenses and participated in efforts to sell or trade the stolen bike.
Heath is charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses, felony attempt to obtain property by false pretenses, felony obstruction of justice, and injury to personal property. Investigators accuse him of stealing the motorcycle belonging to Lee Merrion, attempting to trade it for another vehicle on Facebook, attempting to sell it, spray-painting it to obstruct the investigation, and causing more than $200 in damage to the motorcycle.
Brooks faces charges of felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony attempt to obtain property by false pretenses, felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses, felony obstruction of justice, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and injury to personal property.
Both defendants appeared for first appearance hearings at 8:55 a.m. on Dec. 12 before Judicial Officer James W. Bateman III in Onslow County Court. Brooks was given a $35,000 secured bond set by the clerk on Dec. 11. Heath’s bond was set following his arrest, though details were not immediately available.
