News (749)
Vehicle Theft Charge Among Counts Filed Against Lincolnton Man Arrested In Caldwell County
Written by Rob Eastwood
51-year-old Michael Andrew Baker of Laboratory Road in Lincolnton was arrested today (July 8) by Catawba County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer. Baker is also charged on a bill of indictment with possession of methamphetamine.
He was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $30,000 bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled today, a Superior Court appearance is set for Thursday (July 9).
New Traffic Pattern Starts Next Monday In Portion Of Hickory
Written by Rob Eastwood
Starting next Monday (July 13) a new traffic pattern will be implemented along Main Avenue NE, from Third Avenue NE to Seventh Avenue NE in Hickory, due to construction of City Walk. For the safety of the traveling public and necessary construction activities, the new traffic pattern will narrow travel in both directions from four lanes to two lanes during City Walk construction.
Drivers are asked to follow new pavement markings and signage. When traveling through this area, please slow down, look out for construction workers and equipment, and allow for extra travel time. The new traffic pattern is estimated to be in place for four to five months.
Taylorsville Man Arrested in Hickory for Parole Violation
Written by Ralph Mangum
32-year-old Cory Elijah Moretz of Little River Church Road in Taylorsville was arrested by Hickory Police at about 11:35 last night on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation.
He was arrested after Officers were called to remove a subject from a hotel on 17th Street Drive S.E. in Hickory. During the incident, Moretz was served with the outstanding warrant. He's on parole following an April 2019 conviction in Caldwell County for larceny and possession of stolen goods.
Moretz was taken into custody without incident and placed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility where he is being held without bond. A District Court date was set for July 24 in Newton.
Iredell Sheriff's Office Assists In Arrest Of Suspect In Kidnapping, Robbery In Yadkin County
Written by Rob Eastwood
25-year-old Brandon Tyler Stacy of Yadkinville was arrested Monday (July 6) in a kidnapping and robbery case. He's charged with five felony counts of second-degree kidnapping, single felony counts of common law robbery, breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering. In addition, Stacy is charged with five misdemeanor counts of assault by pointing a gun, two misdemeanor counts of resisting a public officer, and single misdemeanor counts of injury to personal property and interfering with emergency communication.
On Monday Iredell County Sheriff’s Officers responded to 5016 Hunting Creek Church in Yadkin County. A request was sent to Iredell County for a canine to respond to the scene to assist in tracking a suspect in an armed robbery. Upon arrival at the scene, Iredell deputies were briefed by Yadkin County officers regarding the suspect, Brandon Tyler Stacy, allegedly committing an armed robbery at a home on Hunting Creek Church Road. Officer believed the suspect was still armed with a handgun.
Officers began tracking the suspect through a wooded area near the victim’s residence. After approximately a half-mile, officers came to an abandoned barn where Stacy was found. The suspect reportedly fled on foot, and was taken into custody following a foot pursuit. Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies took custody of Brandon Tyler Stacy. Stacy was issued a 1,000,000 dollar secured bond by a Yadkin County magistrate. A District Court appearance was scheduled today (July 8).
Burglary & Robbery At Morganton Home Under Investigation
Written by Rob Eastwood
A reported robbery at a Morganton residence is under investigation. On Monday (July 6) at approximately 4:00 a.m., Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to a burglary and armed robbery that reportedly occurred at 302 Hopewell Road.
The victims said that they were asleep when they heard their bedroom door being kicked open. The victims told police there were two suspects with firearms. The suspects demanded property and money from the victims. The suspects were described by the victims as a tall skinny black male and a short black male.
If you have any information about this case please contact Investigator Goforth with Morganton Public Safety at 828-438-5395.
Wednesday COVID-19 Update: 35 New Cases In Catawba County, Two Deaths Reported In Caldwell
Written by Rob Eastwood
35 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Catawba County Tuesday (July 7), increasing the overall total to 1,046, with 14 deaths. According to Catawba County Public Health, hospitalizations increased to 20 in the county, the highest total since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 469 patients have recovered from the coronavirus and there have been 3,580 negative test results.
Caldwell County health officials learned of two COVID-19-related deaths Tuesday, increasing the total to six. One patient, who was over the age of 65, had been hospitalized and was reported to have underlying health conditions. The other patient, who was between the ages of 25 and 64, had not been hospitalized and was not reported to have any underlying health conditions.
A total of seven new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday in Caldwell County, increasing the overall total to 526. There were 16 patients from Caldwell County hospitalized, and at least 300 patients had recovered.
Eight additional cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday in Burke County, increasing the total to 1,101, with 20 deaths. There were seven people hospitalized with the coronavirus, and at least 846 patients had recovered. No new cases of the coronavirus were reported Tuesday in Alexander County, leaving the total at 132, with one death.
Nine Month Jail Sentence Imposed In Fatal Caldwell County Wreck
Written by Rob Eastwood
37-year-old Kenneth Avery Davis of Granite Falls, pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and felony hit and run with serious injury or death in connection to the October, 2019 death of 25-year-old Marriah Kelly Warren during Caldwell County Superior Court on Monday, July 6, 2020.
The Honorable Athena Brooks, Superior Court Judge from Henderson County, imposed an active sentence of 270 days to be served in the Caldwell County Detention Center followed by 36 months of supervised probation.
If Davis fails to complete the probationary period successfully, a pair of 19-to-32-month sentences will be served consecutively in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections. In addition, Brooks sentenced Davis to spend Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in custody for the next three years.
Warren was traveling through an intersection with a green light in a Honda Accord on October 7, 2019, when she was struck in the driver’s side door by a Ford Taurus operated by Davis, who had a red light in his lane of travel.
Crash reconstruction reports from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Lenoir Police Department showed that Davis accelerated through the intersection at 57.8 mph in the 45 mph zone before crashing into Warren’s vehicle.
Eyewitnesses saw a passenger crawl out of Davis’ vehicle and sit on the curb before observing Davis exit the driver’s seat, speak with the passenger and leave the scene on foot. Warren was declared dead at Caldwell UNC Hospital a short time later from injuries suffered in the crash.
Officers looked two days for Davis and offered a cash reward for information regarding his location. He was taken to the Magistrate’s Office by a Caldwell County citizen on October 9, 2019, where he was arrested and charged in Warren’s death.
Warren’s fiancé, Bradley Bumgarner, spoke on behalf of the family, noting that she was a fun, caring person who gave to others and looked after friends and family. She was on an errand for her family when she was killed.
The case was investigated by Master Patrol Officer T. Sanders and Sgt. N. Blache of Lenoir Police Department with cooperation from Trooper C.J. Rogers of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer C. Mathews prosecuted the matter for the State.
Fatal Shooting Under Investigation In Catawba County
Written by Rob Eastwood
On Tuesday (July 7) at 1:40 p.m. deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased person at residence on Hopewell Church Road in Sherrills Ford. When deputies arrived they discovered 56-year-old Shaun Michael Loughrey dead inside his residence. It appears that Loughery died after suffering one or more gun shot wounds.
A homicide investigation is underway. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has been requested to assist Sheriff’s Investigators. More information will be released by authorities as it becomes available.
Lincolnton Man Arrested in Hickory for Fleeing to Elude Arrest
Written by Ralph Mangum
31-year-old Joshua Michael McDaniel of Union Church Road in Lincolnton was arrested by Hickory Police Monday evening (July 6) on a felony warrant for fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle.
McDaniel's arrest stems from an incident on July 1 when Hickory Police initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of 2nd Avenue N.W. and 27th Street N.W. The driver fled from Officers and was not found on that date. Officers learned the identity of the driver and obtained warrants for his arrest on July 3.
McDaniel was taken into custody without incident at 9:10 p.m. yesterday at a retail store on Highway 70 S.E. in Hickory. He was placed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility with bond set at $5,000, secured. McDaniel was scheduled to make a first appearance in District Court today (July 7) in Newton.
35 New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed In Catawba County
Written by Rob Eastwood
35 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Catawba County today (July 7), increasing the overall total to 1,046, with 14 deaths. According to Catawba County Public Health, hospitalizations increased to 20 in the county, the highest total since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 469 patients have recovered from the coronavirus and there have been 3,580 negative test results.
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Lawndale Man Charged With Larceny In Caldwell County
Written by Rob Eastwood
28-year-old Charles Douglas Benson of Lawndale was arrested Sunday (July 5) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony larceny by anti-inventory device, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of probation violation. Benson was brought to the Caldwell County Detention Center where bond was set at $20,000 secured. A District Court appearance is scheduled for August 13.
30-year-old Jeffery Scott Ohmer of Jones Lane in Lenoir was arrested Saturday (July 4) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and felony speeding to elude arrest. Ohmer was brought to the Caldwell County Detention Center where bond was set at $40,000 secured. A District Court appearance is scheduled for July 27.
Two Alexander County Men Arrested After Allegedly Firing Shots At Each Other
Written by Rob Eastwood
42-year-old Zachary Michael Porter and 76-year-old Paul Eugene Cram, both of Taylorsville, were arrested Sunday (July 5) by Alexander County Sheriff's Officers. They're each charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Deputies were dispatched to a location on Jay Burke Road Sunday in reference to a report of gunfire. When officers arrived they learned that two men had fired at each other. Neither suspect was struck by the gunfire but damage was reported to both residences.
Porter and Cram are the two men who allegedly fired at one-another. Both suspects were released on $10,000 secured bond. The alleged weapons were seized as evidence. Both men are scheduled to appear in Alexander County District Court August 10.
Lawndale Man Arrested in Hickory on Multiple Drug Charges
Written by Ralph Mangum
23-year-old Christopher Ray Gillespie of Old Highway 18 in Lawndale, N.C. was arrested by Hickory Police at about 11:25 Friday morning (July 3) on one felony count each of possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance. He was also charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of a schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gillespie was arrested after Police responded to a domestic call for service at a hotel on 13th Avenue Drive S.E. During the incident Officers found 8.7 grams of marijuana, one dosage unit of oxycodone hydrochloride, one dosage unit of alprazolam, and drug paraphernalia. No domestic violence charges were filed.
Gillespie was taken into custody without incident at the hotel. He was processed and released under a $15,000 unsecured bond. An appearance in District Court was set for July 13 in Newton.
