Funeral Director Charged With Possessing Stolen Rental Car

SMITHFIELD – A Johnston County funeral director is accused of having a stolen car in his possession. Van Boris Peterkin, 48, of Selma was arrested May 1 by Smithfield Police after a Flock license plate reader camera alerted officers to a stolen car in their jurisdiction.

Police said they found Peterkin on S. Equity Drive in possession of a 2023 Chevrolet Volt that had been reported stolen to Raleigh Police.

Peterkin reportedly rented the car from Avis Car Rental in Raleigh. When he failed to return the vehicle by the end of the rental period on March 31, Avis Car Rental reported the vehicle stolen, according to Smithfield Police.

This is not the first time the licensed funeral director has been in the news. In August 2024, Peterkin was arrested for obtaining property by false pretense for allegedly stealing $3,750 from a 73 year-old Maryland widow who prepaid him for a grave plot and grave marker in Selma.

Following our August 2024 news story, Peterkin contacted Johnston County Report numerous times claiming he never took the money, then two weeks later claimed he had repaid the money.

On April 10, 2025, Mr. Peterkin appeared in Johnston County District Court with his attorney. He agreed to pay $3,750 in restitution to the victim in exchange for the dismissal of the felony charge. The restitution was paid within a week, court records show.

Eviction
Van Boris Peterkin was operating V.B. Peterkin Funeral Home at 900 S Pollock Street in Selma when the alleged fraud took place in 2024.

Peterkin was evicted from the building in February 2025 after failing to pay his landlord the monthly rent of $800. As of May 1, 2025, court records show Peterkin still owes his former landlord $997.31 for the past due rent and small claims court costs.

According to the Catherine E Lee, General Counsel for the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, V.B. Peterkin Funeral Home does not currently hold a funeral establishment permit issued by the Board. This funeral establishment permit was deemed surrendered, following Mr. Peterkin’s reported loss of tenancy at 900 Pollock Street earlier this year.

Disciplinary Hearing
Mr. Peterkin currently holds an active North Carolina funeral director license. However, the state Funeral Home Board has scheduled a disciplinary hearing against him on May 14, 2025 regarding his alleged failure to purchase a grave plot and grave marker last year after being prepaid by the 73 year-old widow.

Court records show Van Boris Peterkin was evicted from his apartment in Clayton in 2023 after failing to pay $3,238 in rent.

A May 1 arrest report by Smithfield Police listed Peterkin’s current address as 900 S. Pollock Street, Selma – the former funeral home location – even though he was evicted from the building in February.

Peterkin was released on a $15,000 secured bond for the stolen car charge. He is scheduled to return to court on May 22 for a probable cause hearing.