Habitual felon gets at least 6 years
Adam Long, 40, faced multiple charges after stealing, skipping court
WILMINGTON -- Stealing from a store, skipping court and being caught with cocaine has landed a habitual Wilmington felon back behind bars for at least 6 years.
Adam Douglas Long, 40, was sentenced to between six and just over eight years in prison in New Hanover County Superior Court Wednesday. Long pleaded guilty to larceny from a merchant, assault with a deadly weapon, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance and stealing criminal evidence.
Superior Court Judge G. Frank Jones sentenced Long as a habitual felon.
According to a news release from the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office, on July 9, 2018, Long was arrested after stealing cordless power tool batteries from The Home Depot on Eastwood Road. A loss-prevention officer at the store reportedly witnessed Long removing anti-theft devices from the batteries, and followed Long out of the store.
When the officer confronted him, the release states, Long hit the officer in the jaw with the stolen merchandise. The office and a customer detained Long until law enforcement arrived.
Long, who had most recently been released from prison in 2015 after serving five years for felony breaking and entering and being a habitual felon, was given a $20,000 unsecured bond and released from custody.
The release states that when Long failed to appear for court Feb. 11, an order was issued for his arrest. Wilmington police were tipped off to Long's whereabouts March 22, and arrested him. During the arrest, officers reportedly found Long in possession of cocaine.
After being taken to the Wilmington Police Department, Long reportedly stole back the cocaine after it had been placed in an evidence bag within his reach, the release states. Officers found the cocaine once again during a strip search.
The release states that Long’s prior convictions include five felony breaking and enterings, six felony larcenies, felony drug convictions, DWIs and a felonious assault from Virginia.
Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or Cammie.Bellamy@StarNewsOnline.com.