Union County Man Charged for Faking Robbery, Selling Grandmother’s Mower

Tyler Helms, a 28-year-old man from Union County, North Carolina, was arrested after he stole his grandmother's John Deere lawn mower, sold it on Facebook Marketplace, and then staged a fake armed robbery to cover up the theft. Helms called 911 claiming two men had robbed him at gunpoint while he was in a truck, but deputies grew suspicious when he offered to contact the supposed robbers to retrieve the mower. The men arrived with the lawn mower and provided Facebook messages proving the legitimate sale. Helms, who appeared muddy to simulate a struggle, faces multiple charges including felony larceny, obtaining property by false pretenses, and filing a false police report, and he remains in custody without bond. Authorities returned the mower to Helms' grandmother after uncovering the deception. The Union County Sheriff's Office expressed disappointment, highlighting the poorly executed scheme and Helms' active parole status complicating his legal situation.