"I never stole anything"
Andrews alderman tells his side of story
By Dwight Otwell Editor

Steve Jordan.

Andrews Alderman Steve Jordan, arrested recently for stealing a six pack of beer, last week said he wasn't aware of the beer until over two hours after the alleged incident.

The entire incident was a mistake, he stated.

Jordan, 42, was arrested after a six pack of beer was carried by his friend, Lee Boyd Sosebee, 76, from White's Solo, located on US Highway 19, on a Sunday morning. Jordan and Sosebee were in the store about 11:30 a.m. Beer cannot be legally sold in North Carolina until noon on Sundays.

Jordan returned and paid for the beer about 2 p.m.

Jordan explained what happened on that Sunday morning. He and Sosebee were in the store about 11:30 a.m. and Sosebee is hard of hearing.

"I was talking to a woman and L.B. thought I paid for the beer," Jordan said. "We went to Foster's Flea Market and played music for about an hour. We started up the road and L.B. reached down and got a beer. I said, 'L.B. Where did you get that beer?' He said, 'You paid for it.' I said, 'No, I didn't'."

Jordan said Sosebee had no money and asked if Jordan would pay for it. Jordan agreed and they went back to the store. Jordan said he told the store clerk what had happened and he paid for the beer.

"She said 'That is fine. I'm glad you came back'," Jordan said.

On Tuesday Andrews Mayor Johnny Brown told him they were accusing him of steeling beer. Brown told him that the sheriff had a warrant for his arrest.

"I called the sheriff and he said he had a warrant for my arrest," Jordan said. Jordan turned himself into law enforcement.

"I never stole anything in my life," Jordan said. "I never touched the beer. L.B. never stole anything in his life. He was in the military for 18 years and fought in Korea and Viet Nam.

"I do not steal. I'm on the board of aldermen to help people."