Old Fort man charged in Ashworth Warehouse break-in

An Old Fort man faces felony and misdemeanor breaking or entering charges following an Oct. 12 incident at Ashworth Warehouse LLC, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and court records.

Christian Michael Hall, 49, was initially denied bond because he was already on pretrial release in Burke County, the sheriff’s office said in an Oct. 27 statement. Court records show he later posted bonds in both McDowell County cases. On Oct. 26, the court ordered his arrest after he failed to appear for a hearing in the misdemeanor case.

The charging document identifies the business as Ashworth Warehouse LLC at 2507 Ashworth Road in Marion. It alleges Hall unlawfully and willfully broke into and entered the building on Oct. 12.

Deputy Zeb Vance responded to a reported break-in in the Ashworth Road area and saw a man fleeing from a nearby minivan with a trailer attached, according to the sheriff’s office.

Vance commanded the man to stop, but he did not comply, authorities said. The deputy also observed a door to the business standing open.

Deputies and detectives searched the area and located the suspect a short time later at the Interstate 40 ramp near mile marker 83. Authorities identified him as Hall, arrested him and transported him to the McDowell County Detention Center.

Detective Adam Burnette’s subsequent investigation led to the felony breaking or entering charge. Investigators found items in the minivan consistent with breaking and entering, along with an item from inside the business, according to the sheriff’s office. The statement did not identify those items.

Court records list two pending criminal cases with an Oct. 12 offense date.

The misdemeanor breaking or entering case, 26CR428734-580, was filed Oct. 12 and records an arrest that day. A $4,000 secured bond was set Oct. 13 and posted Oct. 20.

The felony breaking or entering case, 26CR429261-580, was filed Oct. 13. A warrant was issued that afternoon, and the case records an arrest and service of the warrant on Oct. 20. A $2,000 secured bond was posted Oct. 21.

At the Oct. 26 hearing in the misdemeanor case, the court recorded Hall as “called and failed,” ordered his arrest and ordered forfeiture of the $4,000 bond. Hearing minutes also contain an $8,000 secured bond notation.

A bond forfeiture notice followed. The associated forfeiture proceeding remains pending, according to court records.

The felony case is scheduled for a disposition hearing on Nov. 9 at the McDowell County Courthouse.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.