WOODLAND — Heavy items, such a safe, do not always sink in water.

That’s the lesson a trio of alleged thieves learned here last week.

Corey Bell, 27, of 103 Buena Vista Road in Murfreesboro, Darius Lewter, 22, of Lot 5 Arrowhead Mobile Home Park in Woodland and Harold Hill, 22, of Lot 30 Arrowhead MHP in Woodland were taken into custody Dec. 20 by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office after they allegedly stole a safe from a residence.

The three suspects were charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and felony possession of stolen property.

According to Northampton County Sheriff’s Chief Detective Capt. D.M. Harmon, the charges stem from a break-in of a residence located in Arrowhead Mobile Home Park on Dec. 19. Eyewitnesses allegedly saw the subjects leaving the residence that was broken into with something wrapped up in their arms.

The three suspects were seen walking near the bridge on NC 35 between the mobile home park and the Woodland town line. Deputy Antwone Johnson and Deputy Jimmy Pair were the responding officers and after searching the area a small black safe was found under the bridge above the water.

“It didn’t sink due to the cold temperature; ice had formed above the water,” said Capt. Harmon. “The property recovered was identified by the victim along with other identifiable documents found under the bridge.”

Bell, Lewter and Hill were placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $30,000 cash bond each. Their first appearance in District court was on Dec. 23.

“We thank the Woodland Fire Department and the Murfreesboro Police Department for all of their assistance in this case,” concluded Capt. Harmon.