Police thwart alleged thief targeting home poker games

CORNELIUS, N.C. -- Investigators thwart a home invasion minutes before it was supposed to happen.

They say the target was a home hosting a high stakes poker game in Cornelius.

Investigators say suspect Terry Lynn Adkins' plan involved casing homes, going in armed and stealing the poker money.

But, investigators got a tip from a confidential informant and followed Adkins every move, including alleged accomplices buying scarfs and hats at Wal-Mart.

"It's very frightening," said neighbor Bonnie Washam.

She lives in the same neighborhood where investigators say the alleged home invasion was supposed to occur.

Investigators say Adkins cruised around Country Club Circle in Cornelius three times in a row Monday, scoping out a house.

"Yes, that bothers me," Washam said.

Investigators say Adkins met two accomplices at the Cornelius McDonald's, rented a motel room off Sunset Road, then headed back to Cornelius to commit the home invasion around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Police followed Adkins on Interstate 77 and pulled him over. They say he sped away, ditching a handgun and shotgun along the way.

They caught him back at the motel.

Investigators say Adkins helped them find the ditched guns and say he told them he thought the poker games would have large sums of money.

Neighbors feel like they literally might have dodged a bullet.

"You just don't think things like that are going to happen in this neighborhood," Washam said.

Investigators say Adkins also scoped out a Fort Mill house that hosted poker games, but he thought the home's security cameras made an invasion too risky.

Back in Cornelius, a different neighbor says the games aren't "high stakes."

Instead, it's penny ante over a couple of beers and he can't believe they could have been minutes away from staring down the barrel of a gun over pocket change.

"I'm glad for whoever was watching out for us," Washam said.

Charges against Adkins include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and armed career criminal.

The criminal complaint doesn't name Adkins' alleged accomplices.

It does, however, say the investigation that led to Adkins' arrest involves cocaine and marijuana smuggling and distribution that also commit acts of violence and robberies.

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