LINCOLNTON, N.C. - Two people have been arrested in connection with a break-in and theft from a used car dealership north of Lincolnton.

On January 12, 2022 the owner reported that someone had broken into the business at 3824 Maiden Highway and stole vehicle keys and vehicles from the business. Stolen were the keys to a number of vehicles along with a Chevrolet Silverado truck and a Honda Civic.

Just hours after the break-in occurred Newton Police stopped a vehicle driven by Justin Matthew Upright, 28, of Newton, NC. Upright had possession of a number of vehicle keys and during the investigation it was learned that some of the keys were from L and A Motors on Maiden Highway.

Upright was interviewed by Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Detective J. Link and he confessed to breaking into the business and stealing the vehicles and keys along with an unknown female. Detectives viewed security footage from a nearby business that showed two suspects at the business during the incident. During the investigation detectives developed Lauren Nicole Sherrill, 32, of Conover, NC as a person of interest.

On January 13, 2022 Ms. Sherrill was pulled over by officers in the stolen Chevrolet Silverado from L and A Motors. She was taken into custody and during an interview with Detective Link she confessed to the break-in and vehicle larceny. She also confirmed she conspired with Mr. Upright to commit the crimes.

During the incident officers also recovered a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado that was stolen from Newton. The vehicle had been parked at a business near the auto dealership.

Justin Matthew Upright and Lauren Nicole Sherrill are each charged breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy and two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle.

Upright who is in the Catawba County Jail was served with the Lincoln County warrants and given a $20,000 secured bond.

Sherrill appeared before a Lincoln County magistrate and is being held in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center in Lincolnton under a $50,000 secured bond.