Sheriff's Office Charges Two in Multi‑County Telephone Line Theft Investigation

Davidson County Sheriff’s Office T.R.A.C.E. Team Charges Alexander County Man and Catawba County Man after an ongoing investigation regarding the Theft and Destruction of Telephone Lines.

On February 6th,2026, Detectives with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office T.R.A.C.E. Team obtained warrants related to multiple cases involving the destruction and larceny of Windstream Communication lines in Davidson County. Warrants were obtained for David Stafford, age 53, from Alexander County, and David Vetter, age 42, from Catawba County, for Felony Injury Utility Wires, Felony Injury Property to Obtain Nonferrous Metals, Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, and Felony Larceny. With the assistance of the Alexander County Sheriff's Office, David Stafford was arrested and placed in the Alexander County Jail under a Pre-Trial Integrity hold and is scheduled to appear in court in March 2026. With the assistance of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, David Vetter was arrested and placed in the Catawba County Jail under a $16,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court in March 2026.

Per North Carolina General Statute 15A-532, Judicial Officials determine conditions for the release of persons involved in judicial proceedings. Bond amounts are not set by law enforcement. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law