Pastor accused of using grandson to steal thousands from best friend | Crime

SALISBURY - A self proclaimed pastor is accused of using his own grandson to steal thousands from his best friend, and it all started with a morning breakfast routine.

Deputies say Robert Thomas, 68, worked for Jimmy Charles Beck, 76, collecting rent from mobile home parks Beck owns in Rowan County.  Thomas also claims to be pastor of the Little Country Church on 20th Street in Kannapolis.

Deputies say Thomas and Beck went to breakfast every morning at Richard's BBQ in Salisbury at 8:30.  They say one day recently when they got back to Beck's home on Winding Way, they noticed the attic door pulled down in the garage.  Thomas called 911 and a deputy came to investigate.  The deputy noticed that insulation was on the floor and the back door of the house had been opened.  Beck noticed that more than $15,000 in cash was missing from the house, while other items like guns and prescription medication were not disturbed.

Beck was so upset that he began to experience chest pains and was treated by EMS at his home.

The investigation led deputies to conclude that Thomas had arranged for his grandson, Christopher Garrison, 25, of Oakboro, to steal the cash from the house while Thomas and Beck were at breakfast.

Garrison is charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and conspiracy.  Bond is $15,000.  Thomas is charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and conspiracy.  Bond is also $15,000.