39-year-old Dusty Eugene Hicks of Neil Road in Morganton and 35-year-old Terry Leon Holland, Jr., who is listed as a homeless person, have both been arrested by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. Hicks was charged with felony common law or armed robbery, misdemeanor possession of stolen goods, and three counts of failure to appear. Holland faces one felony count of possession of a controlled substance on prison or jail premises (methamphetamine), along with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and failure to appear on a trespassing charge.

Events leading to the arrests began on the afternoon of August 31 when the Sheriff’s Office took a report regarding a vehicle theft. The reporting party said Dusty Eugene Hicks was in possession of the vehicle, but did not have permission to drive it and refused to return it. About an hour later, Detectives on routine patrol saw a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle.

Detectives learned that Hicks had active warrants on the robbery charge in addition to a warrant for possession of the stolen vehicle. Investigators positively identified the stolen vehicle and the driver. They followed the vehicle from Enola Road onto Government Drive and into the Burke County Jail parking lot where they initiated a traffic stop. Hicks was taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, a passenger in the vehicle, Terry Leon Holland, fled the vehicle and went into the jail facility wearing a backpack. Deputies found Holland in the jail attempting to post bond for an inmate there. A warrant check indicated that Holland had several outstanding warrants. A search of Holland’s person led to the discovery of meth. More meth was found in the stolen vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.

Hicks was jailed under a $75,000 secured bond. Holland was given a $15,000 secured bond. Hicks has court dates coming up on September 21, 22, & 29, while Holland is due in court on September 22 & October 23.