Police Searching For Missing Phone Arrest Woman On Drug Charges

FOUR OAKS — A search for a cellphone reported stolen in Harnett County led Four Oaks police to a local motel, where officers instead uncovered suspected narcotics and made a felony drug arrest.

According to Four Oaks Police, the investigation began Feb. 3 after a woman reported her cellphone missing while checking out at the Walmart in Erwin. The victim briefly set the phone down and discovered it gone moments later when she attempted to retrieve it.

Using tracking information, the phone was reportedly traced to the Travelers Inn motel located at N.C. Highway 96 and U.S. Highway 701 in Four Oaks. Officers responded to a specific motel room later that day but no one answered the door.

Four Oaks Police Chief Stephen Anderson said officers returned the following day, Feb. 4, and located two individuals inside the room. Police were granted consent to search both the room and a vehicle parked outside.

One occupant told officers they had been at Walmart but denied any knowledge of the missing phone, authorities said. Investigators did not locate the cellphone during the search.

However, police allege that during the search, Alice Marie Hair, 52, of Coats, attempted to conceal a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Hair was arrested at the scene and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

The second individual present in the motel room was not charged.