The case was then turned over to federal officers.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is currently investigating how the men obtained the bulletproof vests, Hill said.

The sheriff’s office was assisted in the case by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs officers and the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Storey is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 828-894-3001.