CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WOKI / WVLT) — A motorcycle reported stolen from Blount County more than two decades ago has been recovered across the state line in North Carolina, leading to the arrest of a man now facing criminal charges.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies recovered a 2001 Kawasaki ZX600 that had been listed as stolen from Maryville since May 22, 2001.
The investigation began Sept. 2 when deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity outside a dollar store along Highway 129. Witnesses reported seeing a man spray-painting a motorcycle in the parking lot.
When Cherokee County Sgt. Tucker arrived, he found Brian Hogan painting the motorcycle red. Investigators said Hogan told deputies the bike belonged to a friend who had allowed him to test-drive it.
During the investigation, deputies discovered several red flags. Authorities said the motorcycle’s vehicle identification number, or VIN, appeared to have been intentionally altered or removed. Investigators also found that the license plate attached to the motorcycle belonged to a different owner and had expired.
Because the VIN had been ground off, deputies requested assistance from the North Carolina Highway Patrol License and Theft Bureau.
Using forensic identification methods and national crime databases, investigators were able to uncover the motorcycle’s original identifying information on Sept. 8. The investigation revealed the motorcycle had been entered into law enforcement databases as stolen by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office more than 25 years ago.
Authorities then contacted the Blount County Sheriff’s Office to obtain the original theft report and verify documentation connected to the 2001 case.
On Sept. 11, deputies located Hogan at a residence he was known to frequent and arrested him without incident.
Hogan was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.
Officials have not released information about the motorcycle’s condition or whether the original owner has been notified of its recovery.
The case remains under investigation.
