North Carolina fugitives linked to area burglaries

A North Carolina duo, both fugitives, are being linked to a series of “broad daylight” burglaries in the area following their arrest last week by local authorities.

Thirty-five-year-old Joshua Penland and 21-year-old Brittany Warren are currently facing charges of second-degree burglary and receiving stolen property, as well as for being fugitives from another state.

According to Whitley County Second District Constable Ron “Bubba” Bowling, Penland and Warren were spotted last week acting suspiciously near the Tattersall Trails Estates subdivision near Corbin last Thursday.

Bowling said he noticed Penland let Warren out of a car near the subdivision. She immediately started knocking on doors to see if people were home.

her lost dog,” Bowling said. “I observed her for over an hour doing this.”

Police say there have been several instances of homes being broken into during the day recently in Whitley and Laurel Counties. Bowling said he believes this particular duo was responsible for more than a few of them.

“It’s the perfect scam,” he said. “They come around when they know people are working to see if they are home. If no one comes to the door, they will check to see if it’s locked. You wouldn’t believe how many times people will leave their doors unlocked.”

He added that it’s also very easy for thieves to get through non-dead bolted doors.

Bowling said he alerted other local officers with Kentucky State Police, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department and Corbin Police Department about the suspicious activity. He said authorities noticed that Penland had been waiting at the Circle K store at the corner of Fifth Street Road and Cumberland Falls Hwy. the entire time Warren was in the neighborhood. When he left the store, police pulled him over at a nearby car wash. Bowling said the two had been communicating by text over cell phones. When he lost communication after Warren was detained by police, he tried to leave the area.

“He was going to leave her there,” Bowling said.

Authorities impounded the vehicle. Bowling said it was “packed from front to back” with random items (i.e. jewelry, electronics, etc.) Police suspected much of it was stolen. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities were able to confirm many of the items in the car were stolen and charged the two with burglary. Kentucky State Police Trooper Les Moses is leading the investigation into the case.

Warren initially would not provide police with her real name or address, so she faces an additional charge of giving an officer a false name or address.

Penland was arrested by Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy John Hill.

Apparently, the two had been staying in local motels for the past two weeks. Why they were in Corbin is a mystery, but Bowling said it’s more than likely random.

“They just stop somewhere off the interstate and find some houses. They don’t really even know where they are,” Bowling said. “They will steal stuff, then Google up a nearby pawn shop on their phone and sell the stuff then hit the road.”

“This is what’s going on. There’s people walking around right in the middle of the day, coming up on your porch and knock on your door to see if you are home.”

Bowling said he warned residents of his northern Whitley County District weeks ago about the daytime burglaries. He suggests making sure you lock all doors when you are away from home and make sure any security systems you may have in place are also armed.

Good communication and watchful eyes by neighbors are also helpful.

Both Penland and Warren were taken to the Whitley County Detention Center. Warren was released pending trial on Nov. 22 on a $10,000 cash bond.

Penland remained in jail as of press time Tuesday.