Theft/Property — Clayton, NC — reported 2026-07-08

SUMMARY

Joel Blake Lee, a Clayton timber company owner, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft and other crimes.

KEY FACTS

  • Incident type: Theft/Property
  • Location: Clayton, NC
  • Date reported: 2026-07-08
  • Suspect: male, age 55
  • Status: arrested

REPORTED DETAILS

  • Joel Blake Lee, 55, was arrested on July 8
  • Lee is accused of crimes involving multiple victims in five counties: Chatham, Columbus, Onslow, Pender, and Wayne
  • The charges include felony larceny of timber, felony larceny of property, and other related counts
  • The investigation was conducted by the North Carolina Forest Service over a period of more than two years