Sixty-one year-old Linc Nolan Bloomfield from Texas was arrested for carjacking and allegedly shooting at other vehicles during a multi-county chase on July 7. Authorities say he was in the Burnsville area attempting to begin a relationship with a woman.
According to the Burnsville Police Department, Bloomfield left his cell phone behind in a vehicle he abandoned at Ingles in Burnsville before stealing a car from an elderly man over 80 years old. Investigators conducted a data analysis of the phone and found that Bloomfield was in the middle of a divorce.
Phone records revealed that Bloomfield had traveled to Burnsville, apparently believing he was starting a relationship with country music star Lanie Gardner, who is originally from the Bakersville area. He thought he had been messaging her, but it was later discovered that he had been deceived by someone impersonating her. Bloomfield had even sent money to the scammer, believing the relationship was genuine.
Authorities acknowledged public concerns regarding Bloomfield’s presence in the area and the events that followed, stating they are committed to thoroughly investigating the matter.
