Man arrested after breaking and entering using a boulder

Officers arrested a Morganton man on Wednesday after he broke into an unoccupied building with a “large boulder.” Unfortunately, the unoccupied building is owned by the City of Morganton.

The Morganton Department of Public Safety arrested James Henry, 45, of Morganton, after responding to a report of a suspicious person.

Henry matched the description, immediately fleeing upon the arrival of officers. In the escape attempt, Henry grabbed a large stone and struck the building’s front door several times, damaging the locking mechanism before forcing the door open and slipping inside.

Officers issued several verbal commands once they joined him inside the structure, eventually taking him into custody.

Public Safety took Henry to the Burke County Jail, charging him with felony injury to real property, misdemeanor breaking and entering, and misdemeanor resisting a public officer.

Henry was issued a secured bond of $25,000. His first scheduled court appearance was Thursday.

—JC