Detective Kyle Gibson with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 23-year-old Joseph Francis Fortin Jr. with felonious Breaking or Entering, felonious Larceny After Breaking or Entering, 2 counts of felonious Larceny and 2 counts of felonious Obtaining Property by False Pretense. Fortin Jr. was issued a $10,500 secured bond.
Detective Gibson also charged 53-year-old Joseph Francis Fortin Sr. with felonious Breaking or Entering, felonious Larceny After Breaking or Entering and felonious Larceny. Fortin Sr. is being held without bond.
An investigation began on February 4th when Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Lake James Landing for the report of stolen golf carts from two different victims. On February 5th, an additional report was filed by a third victim for several missing DeWalt tools from his camper storage. Evidence in all investigations led to warrants being obtained for Fortin Sr. and Jr. Both golf carts have been recovered and returned to the owners.
Anyone with further information concerning these thefts or others in the area, please contact Detective Kyle Gibson with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237. You can also submit your tip anonymously by downloading our McDowell County Sheriff’s Office App on your mobile device for FREE in the Apple or Google Play Store and selecting “Submit a Tip”!
