A FedEx delivery driver has been linked to “numerous” home break-ins in western North Carolina, and some of the “evidence” was found in his work vehicle, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday.
The incidents occurred over a period of weeks in the Highlands/Scaly Mountain area, officials said in a news release. Highlands is about 170 miles southwest of uptown Charlotte
FedEx driver Gregory Thomas Bufkin was arrested this week on felony charges of possessing stolen goods, officials said, and is being held at the Macon County Detention Center under a $180,000 bond.
Investigators said they got a break in the case this week when a victim reported a security camera at her home recorded footage of an unfamiliar man.
“Investigators … were able to identify that individual and were able to quickly locate him at his residence,” officials said.
“Investigators were also able to confirm the man seen in the video was a FedEx driver who worked in the Highlands area. Throughout the night, interviews were conducted with the suspect,” they continued. “… Investigators seized several pieces of evidence which included multiple pieces of jewelry and two firearms. Some of the items seized were found to be inside Bufkin’s work vehicle.”
Bufkin’s charges include seven counts of felony possession of stolen goods; seven counts of breaking and entering; seven counts of larceny after breaking and entering, and six counts of larceny of a firearm, officials said.
Sheriff Robert Holland suspects more break-ins are connected to the case, but the alleged crimes have gone undiscovered by homeowners.
“We can tie Mr. Bufkin to thefts in at least 11 breaking and entering (cases) in the Highlands area,” Holland said in the release.
“While we have solved multiple thefts in our area, some items recovered are from thefts that have not been discovered by homeowners and therefore have not been reported.”
Many of the victims are believed to have left their doors unlocked and open windows, investigators said.
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