Wilkesboro Police are investigating several car break-ins, and have arrested two men in relation to two of the cases. Officers were called to Lowes Motel Tuesday afternoon by an unidentified woman who reported her work bag had been stolen from her car, then left before the officer could get her name. According to the woman, Gary Wiles told her he'd seen a man take the bag and run into the woods. However, a search didn't turn up any evidence to match that story. Instead, when officers searched Wiles' room, they found a number of other stolen items, including a cell phone, a satellite radio, and some credit and debit cards in other peoples' names. Wiles also eventually led them to the work bag, which was stashed under another vehicle in the parking lot. The woman looked through it, said nothing was missing, and disappeared. Wiles and the other man in the room, Dean Madden, were arrested for a variety of charges.
The cell phone and one of the debit cards recovered in the room belonged to Allison Baker, who had not reported her purse being stolen. When police went to return her property to her, she realized the purse had been taken, and several other credit and debit cards were missing. Wiles and Madden face charges in that case, as well.