Adam Alspaugh (left) and Benjamin Hogge (right) (Courtesy Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail)
Two men each received 10 felony charges after an investigation revealed they allegedly stole copper and golf cart batteries from the Colonial Golf Course in Lanexa.
Benjamin Hogge Jr. and Adam Alspaugh, both from James City County, were seen on camera Nov. 3 and 4 trespassing on the golf course, which has been closed for several years, according to a criminal complaint filed against Hogge in Williamsburg-James City County District Court.
The cameras were installed in August after maintenance workers reported significant thefts of copper pipes from the buildings and thefts of golf cart batteries.
The complaint states that around 11:30 a.m. Nov. 4, a man in a white Jeep Cherokee was seen near the garage where the golf carts are kept.
When the man saw someone approaching, he got in the passenger seat of the vehicle, and the Jeep sped away toward the locked gate.
According to the complaint, the vehicle was driven through the trees and around the gate onto the main road.
The maintenance worker found three golf cart batteries with their wires cut outside of the garage.
About an hour after the two men were seen at the golf course, 27-year-old Alspaugh sold 24 golf cart batteries matching those used at Colonial Golf Course to James City County Recycling, the complaint states.
The 24 golf cart batteries were valued at $3,500, authorities said.
Surveillance video from the day before also showed Alpsuagh and 29-year-old Hogge trespassing on the golf course around 11:30 a.m., the complaint states. That day, Alpsaugh sold 115 pounds of copper to James City County Recycling.
Alspaugh was in a white Jeep Cherokee when he arrived at the recycling center Nov. 4. Police located the owner of the Jeep using the license plate and found it belonged to the sister of Hogge’s girlfriend, according to the complaint.
The girlfriend told police Hogge frequently used the car while she and her sister were at work, and added Hogge and Alspaugh often spent time together while she was at work.
The two men have been charged with two counts each of grand larceny, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, obtaining money by false pretenses and breaking and entering.
Hogge will appear in Williamsburg-James City County District Court for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 25.
Alspaugh’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18.