Suspect identified and arrested in South Front Street ABC store theft; facing additional parole violations

New Bern police and Craven County deputies arrested Anthony Gardner, 54, for a downtown liquor store theft and outstanding parole violations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:40 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WITN

Identification and arrest of the suspect

On March 5, 2026, at approximately 8 p.m., a theft occurred at the ABC liquor store located on South Front Street in downtown New Bern. Following a public appeal for assistance in identifying the individual responsible, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the New Bern Police Department successfully identified the suspect as 54-year-old Anthony Gardner. New Bern officers located Gardner shortly thereafter, walking in the vicinity of Craven Terrace, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Outstanding warrants and legal status

At the time of his arrest, a records check revealed that Gardner was not only a suspect in the recent retail theft but was also wanted on outstanding arrest warrants. These warrants were issued by North Carolina Probation and Parole for multiple parole violations. The integration of local theft investigations with state parole oversight allowed officers to secure Gardner’s detention on both the new criminal allegations and his prior legal obligations.

Community and agency cooperation

The swift resolution of the case was credited to the collaborative efforts between the Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the New Bern Police Department. Deputies had utilized surveillance footage and public tips to broadcast Gardner's description, which led to his rapid identification. The downtown ABC store, a prominent retail location on South Front Street, has resumed normal operations following the investigation into the stolen inventory.