51-year-old charged with murdering man who had protection order against suspect

A man has been arrested after Robeson County investigators found a dead body in a car.

On Monday at approximately 9:10 a.m., Robeson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 3270 Mt. Olive Church Rd. in Lumberton in reference to an unresponsive man in a car. When deputies arrived, they found 64-year-old Robert E. Santen II, of Lumberton, dead in the car.

Gene Grant Locklear, 51, was arrested at the scene and charged in connection to the death of Santen. Locklear was charged with first-degree murder and violation of a domestic violence protection order while in possession of a deadly weapon.

Locklear was placed in the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center without bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170 or 910-671-3100.