$500k larceny case continued until June 6
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office charged Billy Ray Praytor with five additional charges for allegedly breaking into several properties in Mill Spring on Jan. 23 and stealing more than $500,000 in cash and other items.
Praytor, 27, of 525 Hwy. 9 North, Mill Spring, was charged with an additional three counts of felony breaking and entering and two counts of felony larceny, according to Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill. Praytor was originally charged with felony conspiracy, felony larceny of a motor vehicle and one count each of felony breaking and entering and felony larceny, according to sheriff reports.
Praytor appeared in court on Wednesday, March 14, when the case was continued until June 6.
Praytor was arrested on Feb. 17 in Rutherford County. He is accused of breaking into three properties along Silver Creek Road on Jan. 23. More than $500,000 in cash, guns, ammunition and a work truck was stolen from one residence and tools were taken from two other properties. The cash was stolen from a safe in a building. Praytor is accused of stealing a truck, which was found the next day abandoned along the Rutherford County line.
Praytor is thought to have broken into the properties alone, but other suspects have been arrested in connection with the money after the fact:
• Carla Praytor Bradley, 46, of 196 Aimes Drive, Forest City, N.C. was charged with felony conspiracy and felony larceny.
• Alfred Lee Lynch, 44, of 234 Silver Plate Grill Road, Rutherfordton, N.C., was charged with felony accessory after the fact and felony conspiracy.
• Donna Michelle Praytor, 26, of 196 Aimes Drive, Forest City, N.C., was charged with felony conspiracy and felony larceny.
Praytor has been held at the Polk County jail since his arrest under a $400,000 bond.
The others were given $300,000 bonds each.