On December 23, 2025, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Dollar General on NC Highway 62 in Trinity. Upon arrival, a white female matching the suspect description was observed fleeing the store and entering a U-Haul parked next to the business.
The store manager reported the female had stolen items. Deputies recovered multiple items of stolen merchandise from the suspect, later identified as Lisa Danette Estep, including items from Dollar General and additional items.
During the investigation, deputies located drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics.
The male driver initially provided false identification information. He was later identified as Benjamin Price Sartin. Further investigation revealed the U-Haul had been reported to have been stolen out of Bluefield, West Virginia, and both individuals were listed as suspects in that case. Sartin was also found to be wanted out of state.
Estep was charged by citation for the larceny of items from the store and the possession of drug paraphernalia and was subsequently arrested due to an outstanding out-of-state warrant. Sartin was also arrested. Both individuals were transported to the Randolph County Detention Center. Sartin was charged with felony possession of stolen motor vehicle, felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor resist/delay/obstruct, and his fugitive warrants. Lisa Estep was served and booked on her fugitive warrants. They were held without bond. A first appearance was set for December 26, 2025.
The stolen U-Haul was recovered. This incident remains under investigation pending final laboratory results.
Name of Defendants:
Benjamin Price Sartin Lisa Danette Estep
Age: 53 Age: 42
