Iredell County, NC – Two men from Union Grove have been arrested following a months-long investigation into a series of thefts and property damage incidents at a car wash in Harmony. Deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office say 53-year-old Jason Lyle Padgett and 34-year-old Carl Adrian Miles, both residing at the same Union Grove address, face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the case.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on February 19, 2025, after deputies received reports of repeated break-ins and acts of vandalism at the Harmony car wash. The suspects were allegedly targeting coin-operated machines, forcing them open and taking cash and coins. The business reported several hundred dollars stolen during each incident, along with significant damage to the machines.
Over the following months, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate the thefts. Surveillance measures were implemented, including the installation of video monitoring equipment in the area, to help identify those responsible.
On Wednesday, October 8, deputies responded to yet another theft at the same car wash, this one occurring in broad daylight. Investigators determined that approximately $600 in coins had been stolen. Surveillance footage from that day reportedly showed two white male suspects in a red Kia Soul, appearing to use the car wash before breaking into a coin machine. Detectives identified the suspects as Jason Padgett and Carl Miles.
Following the identification, detectives reviewed evidence from earlier incidents and were able to connect both men to the previous thefts dating back to February. As a result, additional charges were filed against them.
Padgett has been charged with two felony counts of aiding and abetting, two misdemeanor counts each of breaking and entering to a coin-operated machine and larceny, and one misdemeanor count of damage to a coin-operated machine.
Miles faces a more extensive list of charges, including two felony counts each of breaking and entering and larceny, two misdemeanor counts each of breaking and entering to a coin-operated machine and larceny, and single counts of misdemeanor damage to a coin-operated machine and failure to appear in court.
Both men were taken into custody following their identification. Miles was arrested on October 9 and booked into the Iredell County Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond. Padgett was arrested the following day, October 10, and received a $12,000 secured bond.
According to court records, Padgett is scheduled to appear in court on November 4, while Miles is set to appear on December 2. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to review surveillance footage and related evidence from the case.
