BEDFORD — A Bedford man and woman are facing criminal charges following a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a late-night theft of security equipment from a local home.
Gabriel Edmonson, 19, and a 36-year-old female, both of Bedford, have been named in probable cause affidavits filed by Deputy Anthony G. Pope Jr. Law enforcement is requesting arrest warrants for both individuals on preliminary charges of theft.
According to court documents, the investigation began on June 12, 2026, when residents in the 1900 block of South I Street reported that security equipment had been stolen from their front porch overnight around 12:30 a.m.
The homeowners told police that two wireless security cameras (manufactured by JOOAN) that were sitting outside charging, along with their associated solar panels, were missing. Reviewing doorbell camera footage, the residents observed a male and female on their property. The male was seen knocking on the door and attempting to tamper with or remove the doorbell camera itself.
The residents, who had recently moved into the home around Memorial Day, noted that previous occupants included relatives and speculated the visitors might have been looking for prior residents.
After Deputy Pope circulated photos of the suspects to local law enforcement, Chief Brandon Blackwell identified the female in the footage as Collins.
On June 15, Deputy Pope interviewed the female after advising her of her Miranda rights. She admitted to driving Edmonson—whom she referred to as “Gabe”—to the residence, claiming she believed a prior resident still lived there.
The woman told investigators that while she initially approached the porch, before returning to her vehicle, she saw Edmonson attempt to take a camera. She confirmed that when Edmonson returned to her car, he was carrying two solar panels he did not have when he walked up to the house.
Later that evening, officers located Edmonson along Old State Road 37 and detained him for questioning.
After being read his Miranda rights, Edmonson told deputies he went to the porch because he believed a previous resident had the vehicle title to his aunt’s car. While he admitted to being on the porch and knocking on the door, Edmonson repeatedly denied taking any property from the residence. When confronted with the woman’s statements that he returned to the car holding equipment boxes, Edmonson disputed her account, maintaining that video footage would prove he left empty-handed.
Deputy Pope requested arrest warrants for both the woman and Edmonson based on the surveillance footage and witness statements. The woman has yet to be detained. Edmonson was detained on August 12th.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
