Two arrested for stealing from homes hit by Hurricane Helene in Caldwell, Burke counties

Through a joint investigation between the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, two individuals have been arrested for at least four burglaries that occurred in Caldwell and Burke counties between Oct. 1 and Oct. 22, according to a presses release from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office.

The incidents took place at homes in both counties, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, according to the press release. Investigators said the suspects were targeting homes that were vacant due to power outages. As part of the joint investigation, law enforcement recovered a total of 80 stolen items that were taken from the locations where the burglaries took place, according to the press release.

Some of the items recovered included two side-by-side ATVs, a Honda four-wheeler, numerous firearms and many other household items. The total value of the items recovered during this investigation by both the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office is estimated at $50,000, according to the news release.

Calvin Wayne Bowen, 45, was arrested on October 17 and is charged by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office with:

* Two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of larceny after breaking and entering, two counts of larceny of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property.

Bowen is charged by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with:

* Burglary, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Derrick Baylee Robinson, 25, was arrested on October 22 and is charged by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office with:

* Two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of larceny after breaking and entering, two counts of larceny of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property.

Robinson is charged by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with:

* Burglary, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Both Bowen and Robinson are being held at the Caldwell County Detention Center on secured bonds from both Caldwell and Burke counties.

Investigators are still seeking assistance in recovering additional items that were stolen in these cases. If you have any information related to the cases, please contact Detective Chris Hamby of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-759-1554 or Detective R. Brock of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office at 828-438-5500, according to the news release .