MOUNT AIRY — The long-dormant screens of Creekside Cinemas on East Bluemont Road, which have remained dark for over 18 months, became the backdrop for an unexpected criminal drama last week. The Mount Airy Police Department confirmed that two individuals were arrested and face felony charges following a break-in at the shuttered facility.
Authorities identified the suspects as 21-year-old Blake Aaron Powers and 19-year-old Chesney Grace Miller, both residents of Lexington. The incident unfolded after officers received a report of a suspicious vehicle at the property. Upon arrival, responding officers discovered a 1996 Ford convertible parked at the scene and found that the vacant building had been breached.
A subsequent search revealed that several items had been stolen from the premises, including 14 miscellaneous hard drives with an estimated value of $650, as well as various movie posters. All stolen property was recovered by police. In addition to the felony charges of breaking and entering and larceny, Powers faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon, after officers discovered a red-dot handgun in a waistband holster on his person.
Following the arrest, which occurred without incident, both suspects were transported to the Surry County Jail. Powers is being held under a $5,500 secured bond, while Miller is held on a $5,000 secured bond. Both are scheduled to make their first appearance in Surry District Court on Dec. 14.
The break-in marks the latest chapter in a turbulent history for the theater complex. Once a bustling 10-screen destination after opening in 2004, the cinema saw its operations dwindle to three screens before its abrupt closure in early April 2025, which owners attributed to mounting financial difficulties.
The site has been a source of ongoing concern for local officials. In August 2024, it was reported that the property owner, a Chicago-based entity known as FirstRun LLC, owed $86,000 in overdue property taxes, making it the largest delinquent taxpayer in Surry County at the time. The company remains the owner of the complex and is currently facing foreclosure proceedings.
The theater’s decline has been marked by a series of setbacks, including frequent ownership changes and temporary closures mandated by local authorities due to failing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Despite its prime location off West Pine Street, the future of the site remains uncertain. Mount Airy Planning Director Byron Brown stated on Thursday that his office has received no formal development inquiries regarding the property, noting that inquiries have been limited to general questions regarding the current ownership.
For now, the theater remains a derelict structure on the outskirts of Mount Airy, serving as a reminder of the facility’s former role as a local entertainment hub.
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