Woman nabbed after nearly $11,000 safecracking heist in Moore County workplace, police say

ABERDEEN, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in a Moore County town said this week they arrested a woman who stole nearly $11,000 from her employer by breaking into a safe with a hammer, crowbar and drill.

The incident happened June 18 at the Burlington retail store at 11088 U.S. 15/501 in Aberdeen, according to an Aberdeen Police Department news release.

Store management called police the next day and reported a larceny by employee, officers said.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video to help determine who committed the theft.

Amonie Alexus Owens, 31, of Robbins was arrested on June 19 on four felony charges, including safecracking, according to an arrest warrant.

The warrant said the thief used money stolen from the Burlington store to initially visit Walmart — where tools were bought for the safecracking operation.

An HR-21 P drill, a 4-pound sledgehammer, and a wrecking bar were purchased at a Walmart before the Burlington store theft, the warrant said. Police also said the suspect bought at Fanta drink at Walmart.

Police said the thief took $10,797.55 in cash after using various tools to break into the store’s safe. Police said they later found a hammer drill, metal picks, a hammer, a crowbar, and the Fanta drink with the suspect.

Owens was also charged with felony larceny by employee, felony possession of stolen goods, obtaining property by false pretenses, possession of burglary tools, misdemeanor possession of stolen property, and injury to personal property, according to police.

She was released from the Moore County Jail on a $50,000 secured bond.