Employees Help Catch Theft Suspect at Tractor Supply

Suspect arrested after employees report battery pack theft and follow him to his car.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 37-year-old man from Lexington, North Carolina was arrested for attempting to steal a Dewalt battery pack from a Tractor Supply store in Mocksville. Employees caught the suspect in the act, called the sheriff's department, and followed him to his car, where deputies were able to stop him and recover the stolen items.

Why it matters

Retail theft is an ongoing issue that costs businesses billions each year. This incident highlights how alert employees and quick action by law enforcement can help apprehend suspects and recover stolen goods, sending a message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

The details

According to the Davie County Sheriff's Department, the employees at the Tractor Supply store in Mocksville called 911 at 8:54 a.m. on February 9th after witnessing the suspect, Ronnie Parson Sparks, take a Dewalt battery pack off the shelf and go into the bathroom to remove the anti-theft device. The employees then followed Sparks to his car, where deputies were able to stop him and find the stolen battery pack as well as a four-pack of additional Dewalt batteries and a pair of pliers from the store.

  • The incident occurred at 8:54 a.m. on February 9, 2026.
  • Sparks was arrested and charged on February 9, 2026.

The players

Ronnie Parson Sparks

A 37-year-old man from Lexington, North Carolina who was charged with larceny, driving while license revoked, displaying a fictitious tag, and tampering with an anti-shoplifting device.

Davie County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the call from Tractor Supply employees and apprehended the suspect.

Tractor Supply

The retail store where the theft attempt took place.

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What’s next

Sparks was held without privilege of bond due to pending charges from Davidson County.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the importance of vigilant employees and effective collaboration between businesses and law enforcement to combat retail theft, which remains a persistent challenge for many stores.