Investigators have charged a woman with breaking into the home of an 89-year-old man and searching his pockets for money.

Hannah Lee Howell, 41, was charged with first-degree burglary, assault on a handicapped person and attempted common-law robbery, according to a new release from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, R.C. Styers of Aberdeen, had reported several times recently that people were entering his home and taking money.

Deputies spent several hours watching the residence but never saw anything unusual.

But last week, Teresa Jones, who is Styers’ niece and caretaker, stopped by her uncle’s home and caught two women inside, searching the man’s pockets, the news release said.

The women, one of them identified by lawmen as Howell, left the area. Investigators are still looking for the second woman.

A second arrest warrant had been issued against Howell for failing to appear in court on traffic charges. Total bail for all charges was set at $40,000.
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=318174