Missing Dollar General car thief found dead in Halifax County river, deputies say

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WNCN) — The body of a missing Parkton man was found in the Roanoke River near Halifax in Halifax County on Labor Day, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said that around 1:30 p.m., Halifax Fire and Rescue along with Gaston Fire Department Water Rescue Team located a body in the Roanoke River believed to be 26-year-old Mohamed Dhabyani. He was reported missing by his family on Saturday.

Dhabyani was arrested in Halifax County for trespassing on private property Saturday in the 6000 block of Thelma Road and confined to the Halifax County Detention Center. According to deputies, Dhabyani posted bond and was released a few hours later.

Investigators said after his release from jail, Dhabyani walked to a Dollar General on U.S. 301 shortly after 9 p.m. and was later identified as a person who stole a vehicle with keys left in the ignition. On Sunday, before 6 p.m., deputies said they found the stolen vehicle in a wooded area in Halifax.

According to deputies, Dhabyani hadn’t made contact with his family members and they wanted to report him as missing. Investigators then began to attempt to locate Dhabyani.

The family of Dhabyani has been notified, investigators said in a release. No other information is available at this time.

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