Wayne County, N.C. — A 26-year-old Dudley man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a series of larcenies reported across Wayne County late last year, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s officials identified the suspect as Noah Ray Whitley, of Dudley. Whitley faces three counts of felony larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, and injury to personal property. He is being held under a $160,000 secured bond.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division began investigating the cases after receiving multiple reports of larcenies in the Eureka and Stantonsburg areas during November and December 2025. Through the investigation, detectives developed Whitley as a suspect.
On Dec. 4, 2025, Major Crimes detectives located Whitley in the Fremont area of Wayne County while conducting saturation patrols related to the investigation. He was taken into custody and was found to be in possession of some of the stolen property at the time of his arrest.
Investigators also determined that Whitley is a suspect in multiple cases in Wilson and Nash counties. Authorities in those jurisdictions have since filed additional charges against him.
The case is being handled by Detective Sgt. D. Gregory. Whitley is currently being held at the Wilson County Jail. All charges are allegations, and the investigation remains ongoing.
