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GREENSBORO — A 34-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the killing of a man found dead inside a Yanceyville Street home on Tuesday afternoon.

David Adam Oates of 8645 Fulp Road in Stokesdale was arrested Tuesday night in Gastonia in connection with the death of 39-year-old Frank Gervis Whalen, who was found dead inside his home at 2509 Yanceyville St.

Greensboro police Capt. John Wolfe said that Whalen died as a result of an assault.

He would not specify how detectives believed Whalen died, but said they did recover possible murder weapons at the scene.

After the assault, Oates is accused of taking Whalen’s vehicle, a Chevrolet truck, which was equipped with a theft recovery system.

Using that technology, police tracked the truck to Gastonia and Oates was located and arrested at an unspecified medical facility with the assistance of Gastonia police.

Wolfe would not elaborate on if Oates was injured or whether he was cooperating with authorities due to an ongoing investigation.

He said detectives are continuing to establish a motive for the killing. He said it appears the men had been living together inside the Yanceyville Street home at some point based on evidence at the scene.

Whalen’s body was found around 1 p.m. Tuesday after a family member couldn’t reach him on the phone and a coworker spotted his body inside the residence after he failed to show up for work and called police.

Wolfe said is unclear how long Whalen had been dead or when he was last seen.

“I do want this community to understand this was not a random act of violence,” Wolfe said.

“Because of the efforts of the police department, this gentleman was in custody within 10 hours of us being notified (of the death). I think that is an important message.”

In addition to the murder charge, Oates had unrelated outstanding arrest warrants related to shoplifting from a Kohl’s department store, according to court documents.

He is being held without bond at the Guilford County jail in Greensboro.

Oates’ criminal record, which dates back to 1994, shows convictions on charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, burglary, larceny and breaking and entering.

A message left with Whalen’s family seeking comment was not returned by late Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone with further information about the case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.

Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for cash rewards.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com