57-year-old Deborah Chapman Hallyburton of South Sterling Street in Morganton was arrested Tuesday (November 14) by Morganton Public Safety Officers. She’s charged with felony counts of breaking & entering and larceny after breaking & entering along with a misdemeanor count of damage to personal property. She’s charged in connection to the theft of items from a neighbor.

Tuesday, shortly before 1 p.m., Public Safety Officers responded to an address on South Sterling Street following a report of a break-in and larceny. After speaking with the victims, officers were able to get a list of the items that were stolen. One of the victims reported seeing a woman throwing trash away in a trash bag that matched the box that had been stolen.

The victim waited until the woman was gone and then checked the unattended bag where he found several of the items missing from his residence. Officers then made contact with the suspect at her residence nearby. After receiving consent to look around the apartment officers discovered several items that had been listed as stolen, which included children’s toys.

The suspect, identified as Deborah Hallyburton, admitted to the crimes and ultimately worked with officers in returning the stolen items to the victim. Hallyburton was brought to the Burke County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond. She was not listed as an inmate as of earlier today (November 15). A District Court date is scheduled Thursday (November 16).