A man accused of stealing the car of Laurinburg's city manager turned himself in last night, only to find he was also wanted as a horse thief.

Aaron Michael Dohogn, 27, of Marston Road, Laurel Hill, was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle by Laurinburg police for the theft of City Manager Ed Burchins' 2009 Honda Accord, and with larceny of a horse and conspiracy by sheriff's deputies upon his arrival at the Scotland County Sheriff's Office last night, according to arrest reports.

James Ray Dunn, Jr., 24, of Laurel Hill, was also arrested at his Corbitt Road home and charged with conspiracy and larceny of a horse, according to a sheriff's report.

Dunn was with Burchins' car when it was recovered on Wednesday and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Dunn and Dohogn are charged with the Nov. 18 theft of a 2-month old palomino belonging to Breck High, according to Sheriff's Investigator Earl Haywood. High lives a few houses down from Dunn.

A three-week investigation was launched when the horse was reported stolen, Haywood said.

An anonymous tipster told authorities the horse was in Robeson County and, with the help of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, the animal was recovered, Haywood said.

After several interviews, investigators came to the conclusion that Dunn and Dohogn were responsible, Haywood said. He want back to the jail to serve warrants on Dunn and found he had posted bail a few hours before. Haywood went to Dunn's home at 5 p.m. and arrested him, placing the 24-year old in Scotland County jail under a $5,000 bond.

Dohogn was placed under arrest at 9 p.m. and was served warrants by Haywood and by Laurinburg police Detective Chris Young. He is in Scotland County jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

It is rare for animals to be recovered, Haywood said, and he was surprised when they were.

With the number of thefts that occur this time of year, the sheriff's investigator recommends that everyone record serial numbers or attach an owner applied number to their possessions.

"It is easier for us to report and track stolen property with identifying numbers," Haywood said.

The easier it is to report and track the property, the more likely it is to be recovered, Haywood added.

Car theft

Burchins' car was stolen sometime Monday evening from the parking lot of the Barrett Building, according to reports. The car, valued at $26,000, was recovered from the side of U.S. 74-Bypass where Dunn and two others were attempting to get the vehicle to start. It had broken down for an undetermined reason, though had damage to the front end.

Deputies initially detained the three until police arrived to take custody.

Some items were missing, but there was one item that was noticeably put in the car by Dunn – a large-breed dog.

Several officials have speculated that the dog may be stolen and are investigating the matter further.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Laurinburg Police Department at 276-3211 or the Scotland County Sheriff's Office at 276-3385.