Man needs a hospital after trying to steal 3 pit bulls from owner, NC cops say

A 19-year-old man accused of trying to steal three pit bulls needed medical attention by the time deputies arrived at the crime scene, according to investigators in North Carolina.

Exactly who – or what – caused the injuries has not been released.

The incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, on Balfour Road in Red Springs, the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“When deputies arrived on scene, they were met by the victim who informed them that someone broke into (his) shed and stole three of his canines,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The victim’s sister looked outside and saw someone running through their yard carrying one of the canines. The victim pursued the suspect and was able to restrain him until law enforcement arrived on scene. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained prior to law enforcement arrival.”

Once “medically cleared,” he was arrested and charged with felony breaking and/or entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, and three counts of felony larceny of a dog, officials said.

The suspect lives in Bennettsville, South Carolina, about a 35-mile drive southwest from Red Springs, according to a warrant.

A motive has not been released.

Court documents report the three pit bulls are valued at $600 each, and were taken from a storage facility that houses “multiple” dogs.

Red Springs is about a 90-mile drive southwest from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Man needs a hospital after trying to steal 3 pit bulls from owner, NC cops say."