LINCOLNTON, N.C. – Lincoln County Sheriff’s detectives have charged a Lincoln County man with breaking into two buildings including a church and attempting to set the outbuilding on fire.

On March 7, 2023 deputies were dispatched to Southside Baptist Church just off Gastonia Highway in reference to a break-in at the fellowship hall. Entry was made into the building through a storage room and by breaking a back window. A number of items purchased for Bingo gifts were stolen. Detectives gathered evidence from the scene and on May 24, 2023 charged Dustin Dennis Hunter, 27, of 346 Grandview Lane, Lincolnton, NC with breaking and entering a place of worship, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods and injury to real property.

Hunter is also charged with breaking into a building in the 1900 block of Gastonia Highway on May 24, 2023. Fire officials say the fire was started at two locations in the building but went out before the building could catch fire. Prints lifted at the scene came back to Dustin Dennis Hunter. He was charged with second degree arson, felony breaking and entering a building, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.

Hunter was taken before a Lincoln County magistrate and placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond. A first appearance is scheduled for May 25, 2023 in Lincoln County District Court.