AHOSKIE – A routine, late-night patrol of a Hertford County business has netted an arrest.

Otis Lamont White, 19, of Rountree Road, Harrellsville, was jailed early Sunday morning on two counts of attempted larceny. A Hertford County Magistrate set White’s bond at $25,000 secured and scheduled his first court appearance on July 15.

The arrest came on the heels of a routine patrol of businesses by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office.

At shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, Hertford County Sheriff’s Detective Brian Pearce was checking businesses along a stretch of NC 42 West when he noticed two black males pushing a “zero-turn” riding lawnmower.

“The two suspects also noticed Detective Pearce and ran,” Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan said. “One of the suspects scaled a nearby fence while the other ran around the front of the business.”

The business was identified as Strickland Tractor and Equipment.

Sheriff Vaughan reported that Pearce, after calling for back-up, chased the suspect that ran towards the front of the business. Upon the arrival of Ahoskie Police Officer Dan Flores, the two lawmen were able to apprehend the suspect, later identified as White, following a short foot chase.

A further investigation of the business revealed that a security cable had been cut. A set of bolt cutters and one glove, similar to the one found in White’s possession, were discovered.

Sheriff Vaughan also reported that two other lawnmowers, one valued at $10,000 and the other at $6,500, had also been moved to the back of the building.

“This is a prime example of why our officers perform routine patrols of business areas late at night,” Sheriff Vaughan noted. “I commend Detective Pearce for an outstanding job and thank Officer Flores and the Ahoskie Police Department for their assistance.”