Tyrrell County deputies recently investigated a report of identity theft and obtaining property by false pretense.

As a result of the investigation a 27-year-old Columbia man was arrested on 17 counts of identity theft and 17 counts of obtaining property by false pretense, Sheriff Darryl Liverman reported.

The defendant was already on probation for other criminal convictions, the sheriff stated.

He was placed in the Dare County Detention Center on $100,000 secured bond.

On March 7 the district court judge appointed the public defender as attorney for the defendant and a probable cause hearing was set for March 14, Angie Sexton, clerk of court, stated.