Shoplifting investigation uncovers alleged plan to resell stolen guns – WSOC TV

Channel 9’s Dave Faherty first reported on the investigation earlier this week. Sheriff’s officials told Faherty they have already recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.

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Search warrants say the items were stolen from major department stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart and Target. Investigators said the Gold King sold them hours later through eBay accounts.

On Monday, Faherty observed deputies at the Gold King, where they said they spent hours securing the stolen goods.

According to court documents, shoplifting investigators at the stores took pictures of the thefts and then conducted surveillance at Gold King. The search warrants include photos of people stealing things from the stores and then bringing them to Gold King, such as a smoker that was stolen from Home Depot and brought to Gold King for resale.

During the search of the “Gold King” and its owner’s home, officers also confiscated 57 firearms, of which more than 20 were returned as stolen.

Several of the guns were reported stolen to Brandi Chambers’ family in Lincolnton. She said they belonged to her grandfather.

“It’s a crazy piece of history that I thought was lost. It’s nice to see it here and OK,” Chambers said. “We didn’t think we’d get it back, so it means everything to us.”

McDaniel, the owner, was charged with conspiracy and obtaining property by false pretense. He declined to speak to Faherty about the case, but spoke to Channel 9 in 2015 after helping officers recover stolen antiques in Alexander County by photographing purchased items and sharing those photos with law enforcement through an online service.

( READ MORE: Deputies: 2 arrested, accused of stealing $200,000 worth of antiques )

“We have assisted law enforcement. We have cooperated with law enforcement. We are doing what we have to do, we are doing what we are supposed to do,” he said at the time.

Officials said they loaded a 20-foot rental truck with the stolen goods. They said much of it will be held as evidence until the case goes to court.

Officials are now working to return the stolen weapons to their rightful owners.

“There have been attempts to resell these weapons,” said Major Aaron Turk of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. “They have been stolen in our county and surrounding counties.”

In a text message, McDaniel’s lawyer said, “He maintains his innocence.” McDaniel wrote to Faherty on Facebook, “They took stupid junk from the store… the community has been nice to me.”

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