Water Rescue Call Leads To Felony Charges Against Burlington Man

On Monday July 11, 2022 at 5:25 p.m., Deputies responded to the Graham-Mebane Lake to assist with a water rescue. A man was reportedly in the water and in distress. On arrival, Deputies were informed that the man was out of the water and seen running along Bason Rd. near Chapel Trl.

Deputies re-located to the area of Bason Rd. and Chapel Trl. attempting to locate the subject. While in the area, at 5:30 p.m., Deputies received a report of a stolen tractor from a resident on Chapel Trl. A short time later, the tractor was found in the 2800 block of Green Level Church Rd., crashed into trees.

While on scene with the damaged tractor, Deputies received a call of a suspicious person at 2648 E. Simpson Rd., Green Level. On arrival, Deputies found the suspect, identified as Joshua Phillip Smithey, inside a residence which he had broken into. Witnesses told Deputies that Mr. Smithey had also broken into a car and was seen going through the contents of the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle did not wish to prosecute.

Deputies arrested Mr. Smithey and transported him to the Alamance County Detention Center.

Name:           Joshua Phillip Smithey    W/M/31

Address:       2510 Orice St., Burlington, N.C.

Charges:       1ct: Felony Larceny

                     1ct: Felony Breaking & Entering

                     1ct: Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property

Bond:            $1,500