Buncombe County -- August 22, 2026: An investigation by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the recovery of more than $15,000 in stolen property and active arrest warrants for three men.
The case began in July after witnesses reported two individuals breaking and entering into a farmhouse in the Riceville area. Deputies subsequently conducted a traffic stop connected to the incident, resulting in an arrest. Investigators then obtained and executed a search warrant on the vehicle, recovering property that belonged to the victim.
The investigation continued over several weeks, leading detectives to file additional charges and identify further suspects.
Authorities are asking for the public's assistance in locating the following three men:
Brandon Thaddeus Bennet: Wanted for felony conspiracy to break or enter. Bennet faces additional charges of felony injury to real property and felony possession of stolen goods. He had previously been arrested on a charge of felony breaking and entering and was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Paul Michael Wrenn: Wanted for felony conspiracy to break or enter, larceny after breaking or entering, felony injury to real property, and felony conspiracy to commit breaking or entering. Wrenn was previously released on a $5,000 bond following initial charges of misdemeanor breaking or entering and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jordan Andy Martivis Pratt: Wanted for felony conspiracy to commit breaking or entering and charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespass.
Anyone with information regarding the location of Bennet, Wrenn, or Pratt is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 828-250-6670.
What is BCSO COPS Team?
COPS stands for Community Oriented Policing Services (or Community Oriented Policing Section). Within law enforcement agencies like the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, the unit functions as a specialized operational model:
Operational Focus: Unlike standard patrol divisions that are primarily dispatched from one 911 call to the next, COPS units are assigned to identify recurring local problems and conduct targeted, proactive patrols.
Investigative Support: In property crime investigations, COPS personnel frequently assist detectives by conducting directed traffic stops, canvassing specific neighborhoods where patterns of break-ins have been reported, and executing search warrants to locate stolen property.
Community Point of Contact: The unit is designed to gather information directly from residents, neighborhood watch groups, and local business owners regarding suspicious activity, which investigators use to generate leads and track repeat offenders.