The body of a man found by the roadside in northeastern Anson County on Tuesday, July 6, has been identified and two suspects have been arrested and charged with his murder.

Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen confirmed on Friday, July 9, that the victim has been identified as Ervin Donell Polk, 38, of Charlotte, who had been reported missing on Tuesday.

Polk was last seen late Monday evening, July 5. His roommate reported to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department that he was missing Tuesday morning.

The body was spotted by a passing motorist in a wooded area near the intersection of Stanback Ferry Road and Grassy Island Road near Ansonville around 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. Cause of death was a gunshot wound, although Sheriff Allen could not confirm Friday the location of the wound, nor if it was a single shot that killed Polk.

On Thursday morning, July 7, sheriff’s deputies visited a residence in Ansonville, where they found a vehicle belonging to the victim, which had been stolen. At that time, officers believed a suspect had fled into a heavily wooded area from the residence as they approached. The suspect was later apprehended about a mile from the scene following an intense search by K-9s, officers and helicopter.

This suspect has been identified as Eddie Ray Maye, 22, of Ansonville. Maye was initially charged with possession of a stolen vehicle by Anson County authorities.

His girlfriend, Shuntia D. Cason, 22, also of Ansonville, was also arrested.

"The motive was robbery," Sheriff Allen said. "These two knew Polk and arranged this meeting."

Around 8 p.m. Thursday night, the investigation determined that the murder had actually occurred in Union County, off Highway 74, between Marshville and Wingate. Deputies from Anson County and the SBI worked with Union County deputies to locate the scene of the murder.

"It was a big investigation," Sheriff Allen said. "For the first 12 or 24 hours, we didn't have any idea who this guy was. Then, we did a search of the missing persons database and found him."

Maye and Cason are now in the Union County Jail. Both are charged with first degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.