News-Record.com

The N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles closed its license plate offices in High Point and Thomasville on Friday as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.

The offices at 1175 E. Lexington Ave. in High Point and 1033 Randolph St., Suite 15, in Thomasville were locked Friday afternoon after agents from the DMV's License and Theft Bureau raided the buildings, confiscating computer equipment.

No charges had been filed as of late Friday and the department was tight-lipped, saying only that an investigation into "alleged fraudulent activity" has been ongoing for the past year.

A statement from the department said the investigation involved local, state and federal authorities, but spokespeople for the High Point and Thomasville police said their departments are not directly involved.

According to the DMV, the High Point license agency is run by Danny Michael Hancock , who has held the contract on the office since 1997 . Judith D. Hancock has held the contract on the Thomasville agency since 1994 . The two are married.

"They have both been questioned by the DMV," said Marge Howell , a spokeswoman for the department. "It is an ongoing investigation, so I can't talk about its focus or suspects."

The DMV gave no word Friday on when or if the offices would re open. Customers were directed to go to offices in nearby cities until further notice.

The nearest local offices are at 5551 W. Market St. in Greensboro, 2248 Golden Gate Drive in Greensboro and 804-B S. Main St. in Lexington.

Efforts by the News & Record to talk with the Hancocks were unsuccessful.

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422 or joe.killian@news-record.com