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Asheville, NC (Dec. 20, 2021): Asheville Police: APD Patrol officers caught a suspect red-handed

when they were dispatched to a suspicious person call just before 3 a.m. Monday to investigate a person checking door handles in an attempt to break into vehicles.

When the officers arrived at the 90 block of Turtle Creek Drive, they caught the suspect inside the vehicle, while also recognizing the vehicle as one that had previously been reported stolen a short time prior. The suspect tried to elude officers by running away, but they quickly caught him.
Officers arrested Steven M. Dellinger, 25, of Swannanoa, N.C., and charged him with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Resisting an Officer, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Buncombe County Detention Center; his bond is currently $5,000.
APD wants to remind residents to lock their vehicles to deter would-be thieves, as Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle are often crimes of opportunity.
Thus far this year, there have been 920 reported incidents of motor vehicle breaking and entering. Of those, 78 percent (718) involved unlocked vehicles. Only 22 percent of those cases involved vehicles that were forced open.
Additionally, there have been 461 reports of theft of a motor vehicle.
If you would like to anonymously share information, you can text TIP2APD to 847411, or use the TIP2APD smartphone app. You can also share information by calling 828-252-1110.

*Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.