Bailed on the Hay: Man Nabbed in Trailer Theft Spree, Girlfriend on the Run
YADKIN COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A multi-county investigation has led to the arrest of a suspect in a string of trailer thefts that impacted local farmers, thanks to coordinated efforts by the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office, the Statesville Police Department, and vigilant citizens across Yadkin and Iredell counties.
The case began on April 28, 2025, when a farmer in Hamptonville reported two 40-foot aluminum van trailers stolen from his property—trailers he had been using to store hay. Detectives quickly launched an investigation and located the missing trailers at a scrapyard in Iredell County, with some of the hay still inside.
On May 9, 2025, law enforcement apprehended Jeb Lee Hampton in Statesville. He was found with a stolen road tractor from Catawba County and another trailer he admitted to stealing just the night before. During the investigation, authorities also discovered evidence implicating his girlfriend, Ashleigh Paige Clarke, in the thefts.
Charges Filed
Jeb Lee Hampton faces multiple charges across two counties:
Yadkin County:
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2 counts of Felony Larceny
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2 counts of Misdemeanor Trespassing
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Misdemeanor Larceny
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Injury to Personal Property
Iredell County:
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2 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
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3 counts of Possession of Stolen Goods
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Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
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Attempted Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
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Operating a Commercial Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Hampton is currently being held in Iredell County without bond due to outstanding charges, including a prior felony larceny case from Yadkin County.
Ashleigh Paige Clarke has been charged in Yadkin County with:
Clarke remains at large, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating her. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office at 336-849-7811.
The case remains under active investigation.
