News (1546)
Hickory Woman Charged With Felony Offense In Caldwell County
Written by Rob Eastwood
33-year-old Ashley Deshea Lee of 25th Street in Hickory was arrested Monday (July 17) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. She's charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense. Lee was confined in the Caldwell County Detention Center under $10,000 secured bond. A District Court date was set for today (July 18).
Hickory Man Arrested on Rape Charge from Burke County
Written by Ralph Mangum
20-year-old Joshua Emmett Westbrooks of Costner Road in Hickory was arrested by Hickory Police at about 7:30 last night (July 17) on one felony count of first-degree statutory rape. The warrant for his arrest was issued in Burke County on February 13 of this year.
Westbrooks was taken into custody without incident at a grocery store on Springs Road N.E. He was placed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility under a $50,000 secured bond. He has since been released. An appearance in Superior Court was set for August 18 in Morganton.
Iredell Sheriff Seeks Suspect in Attempted Larceny
Written by Ralph Mangum
46-year-old Robbie Dale Sigmon of Shelia Lane in Statesville is wanted by Iredell Co. Sheriff’s Officers in connection to an attempted larceny at a Statesville lawn equipment business. He faces charges of first-degree trespassing and attempted larceny.
On Saturday (July 8), Sheriff’s Officers responded to Sharpe’s Lawn Equipment & Service at 609 Mocksville Highway in Statesville. Deputies spoke with a witness who saw a white male driving a white SUV. The witness said the man climbed over a secured chain-link fence. The man then climbed onto a zero-turn mower and began riding it around inside the lot.
Detectives reviewed the security footage at the business and learned that the suspect was Robbie Sigmon. The business owner had known the suspect for several years and was familiar with the vehicle the suspect was driving. Investigators say it appeared the suspect was attempting to steal the mower, but was unable to however locate an exit.
Warrants for Sigmon’s arrest were issued. He remains at large. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robbie Dale Sigmon should call the Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3180.
Lenoir Man Charged With More Than 40 Counts Of Injury To Property
Written by Rob Eastwood
23-year-old Carlton Brandon Coutu of Hartland Road in Lenoir was arrested Monday (July 17) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with 45 counts of injury to personal property along with single counts of possession of schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Coutu was detained in the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office under $71,000 secured bond. District Court dates are scheduled for August 24 and October 17.
Authorities in Iredell County are attempting to locate a suspect in a break-in and theft case.
According to a news release issued Monday (July 17) by the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, on Monday, July 10, a report was filed with the Sheriff’s Office in reference to the breaking and entering to a storage building and the larceny of several tools and other personal items belonging to the home owner at 805 Crestridge Road in Statesville.
An investigation was initiated and it was discovered that some of the tools that were stolen had already been recovered and returned to the owner. Detectives discovered that there were tools, jewelry and other personal items stolen from the residence with a dollar value of approximately $7,200. Detectives also learned that the suspect, 35-year-old Robert Floyd Hogge III of Travis Loop in Statesville, was a relative of the victim in this case.
It was discovered that Hogge had also sold a men’s Harley Davidson jacket to City Pawn & Gun for cash, knowing that it was stolen from the same victim. The jacket was recovered by Detectives and returned to the owner.
Detectives also discovered during the investigation that Hogge had sold battery powered tools to Statesville Jewelry & Loan that were stolen from the same address.
Tools were recovered by Detectives and returned to the owner. Approximately $350 in property has been recovered by the Sheriff’s Office in this case. Detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Robert Floyd Hogge charging him with breaking and entering to a storage building, larceny after breaking and entering, felony larceny, and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hogge is asked to call the Iredell Count Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3180.
Hickory Man Charged With Stolen Vehicle Offense In Caldwell County
Written by Rob Eastwood
38-year-old David Lee Brendle of 22nd Avenue in Hickory was arrested Monday (July 17) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle. Following the arrest, Brendle was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under $40,000 secured bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled for today (July 18).
Granite Falls Woman Arrested By Newton PD On Meth Possession Charge
Written by Rob Eastwood
32-year-old Melissa Ann Williams of Carl Drive in Granite Falls was arrested Monday (July 17) by Newton Police Officers. She's charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Williams was detained in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $7,500 bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled for today (July 18).
NCDOJ Warns Of Scam Targeting Potential Home Buyers
Written by Rob Eastwood
The North Carolina Department of Justice is warning home buyers that there is a scam being conducted that's already cost state residents tens of thousands of dollars. According to a news release issued by the NCDOJ Monday (July 17), the scammers are targeting real estate agents and companies with a scam aimed at potential home buyers.
The scammers hack into real estate agents’ email accounts and harvest information about deals that are in the making. When they see that a closing date has been set for a sale they contact the prospective buyers by email, pretending to be the real estate agent. In the email, they explain that a last minute change has been made and the buyer’s closing costs need to be wired to a different account than the one stated previously.
In some cases the hackers learn of the upcoming transaction by accessing the buyer’s email account or other means, but the result is the same: huge financial losses for the would-be buyer, and a fat payday for the crook. The Federal Trade Commission has also issued a warning about this scam.
If you are working with a realtor on a purchase, remember the following:
Never send account information by email – it isn’t secure.
Use a secure connection when entering financial information online. The URL (online address) should begin with “https.” That “s” means you are using a secure connection.
Before moving ahead with a transaction, verify information about the closing in person, or on the phone. Don’t rely on faxed or emailed information.
If you’ve been victimized by this or any other type of scam, report it to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein’s Consumer Protection Division at 877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online.
A fatal shooting is under investigation in Statesville. Monday (July 17), just before 5:30 p.m., Statesville Police officers responded to a reported shooting in the 300 block of Winona Street. A caller reported that a person had been shot. It was also reported that a black SUV was seen fleeing from the area after the shooting. Multiple SPD officers responded to the scene. The black SUV was not located.
Iredell County EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to Iredell Memorial Hospital for treatment. The victim was pronounced deceased just before 7 p.m. The victim is identified as 19-year-old Shaun Antwan Holmes of Statesville.
SPD Investigators responded to Winona St. and processed the crime scene for any evidence. The investigation is in it’s very early stages and is ongoing. Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact Statesville Police at 704-878-3406, or Iredell Crime-Stoppers at 704-662-1340. Callers can remain anonymous and a cash reward is possible.
Burke Man Facing Charge For Reportedly Shooting Trash To Start Fire
Written by Rob Eastwood
A Morganton man is facing an arson charge. On Monday (July 17) at around 5:00 a.m. fire fighters were dispatched to a mobile home and vehicle fire on Idlewild Drive off of Henderson Mill Road, Morganton. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office was subsequently dispatched to the scene at approximately 5:22 a.m. regarding an armed subject at the scene with shots fired. Deputies arrived at approximately 5:40 a.m. and observed a subject, later identified as 48-year-old David Jay Macinnes, on his porch at 3229 Idlewild Drive with a rifle and handgun. Subsequent to speaking to deputies for approximately 20 minutes, Macinnes was taken into custody.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Burke County Fire Marshal were dispatched to assist with the investigation. Several items of evidence were collected which included multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. David Jay Macinnes was taken to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office where he confessed to piling trash inside the residence and shooting it multiple times with a shotgun to ignite a fire.
A news release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office says a warrant for 2nd Degree Arson was issued but has not been served. Mr. Macinnes’ current situation is being handled outside the criminal justice system. The vehicle and mobile home were considered a total loss. The investigation is continuing with the possibility of additional charges.
More...
40-year-old Albert Morrison, Jr. of 7th Avenue S.W. in Hickory was arrested by Hickory Police yesterday (July 16). Morrision, also known as “Po Pimp” or “Bo Pimp”, was charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession of more than half an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He had small quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana on his person at the time of his arrest.
Morrison was taken into custody without incident just after 11 o’clock Sunday night on the 200 block of 6th Street S.W. in Hickory. He was placed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility with bond set at $7,500, secured. An appearance in District Court was scheduled today in Newton.
Strangulation, Malicious Conduct Charges Filed Against Man Arrested In Burke Co.
Written by Rob Eastwood
30-year-old Juan Antonio Ortega-Ibarra was arrested Sunday (July 16) by authorities in Burke County. He's charged with felony counts of assault by strangulation and malicious conduct by a prisoner. Ortega-Ibarra was placed in jail in Morganton under $50,000 secured bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled for today (July 17).
Frye Regional Medical Center Employees Contribute To Habitat Home
Written by Rob Eastwood
Employees, physicians, and local physician practices of Frye Regional Medical Center recently teamed to contribute more than $42,000 toward the construction of the “Making Communities Healthier Home.” The gift, coupled with gifts from the congregations of St. Albans Episcopal and the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, the Catawba Episcopal Outreach Committee, and from local families will allow Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley to begin building a home with Billy and Tasha Singleton and their family.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for this Saturday (July 22) at 8 a.m. at Habitat’s Northstone Community at 3345 Falling Creek Road, Hickory. The public is encouraged to attend. In addition to contributing toward the construction costs of the home, Frye Regional employees will volunteer their time at the home site, working side by side with the family. Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is a non-profit, Christian-based community organization dedicated to building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Two Arrested in Hickory on Charges of Credit Card Fraud
Written by Ralph Mangum
39-year-old Austin Romaine Webb, Jr. from Baldwin, New York, and 34-year-old Crystal Angel Hall of Dembrigh Lane in Charlotte were both arrested by Hickory Police at about 9:30 Saturday night (July 15) on three felony counts each of credit card fraud.
Both suspects were taken into custody without incident at Hickory’s Valley Hills Mall. Webb and Hall were jailed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility with bond for each set at $25,000, secured. They were both scheduled to make first appearances in District Court today (July 17) in Newton.
