News (1985)
Victim Identified In Fatal Shooting In Alexander County (Updated, 1:17 p.m., 12/11/19)
Written by Rob Eastwood
39-year-old Joshua Lee Branch of Stony Point was arrested Tuesday (December 10) by Alexander County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with murder. On Tuesday at approximately 12:30 p.m. a call came into Alexander County 911 in reference to a shooting at a residence on Spring Pointe Drive in the Stony Point community of Alexander County.
Officers arrived at the scene and found a white male laying outside near the residence with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest area. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by Alexander County EMS. The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Walter Thurman Minton of Mountain View.
Deputies found Joshua Lee Branch of Stony Point at the scene of the shooting. He was detained and transported to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, where he was charged. Branch made his first appearance in Alexander County District Court today (December 11). He is currently being held without bond in the Alexander County Detention Center. His next District Court appearance is set for January 6.
Conover Man Arrested on Stolen Vehicle Charge
Written by Ralph Mangum
31-year-old Johnnie Leeroy Lail of 4th Avenue Lane N.E. in Conover was arrested by Hickory Police early this morning (December 10) on an outstanding warrant. Lail was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The warrant for his arrest was issued on December 2.
Lail was taken into custody without incident at about 2:40 a.m. today at the intersection of 18th Street N.E. and 9th Avenue N.E. in Hickory. He was taken to the Catawba Co. Detention Facility with bond set at $5,000, secured. He has since been released. A first appearance in District Court was scheduled today in Newton.
Two Arrested on Felony Heroin Charges in Iredell County
Written by Ralph Mangum
40-year-old Jason Devon Randolph and 25-year-old Avorie Nicole West, both from the same address on Randolph Drive in Marion, have been arrested by Iredell Co. Sheriff's Officers. They were both charged with felony counts of trafficking heroin by transport, trafficking heroin by possession, and possession with the intent to sell & deliver heroin, along with misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia. Randolph was also charged with felony maintaining a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance and driving while license revoked.
Events leading to their arrests began last Thursday (December 5) when an Officer stopped a vehicle on the Taylorsville Highway near Interstate 40 for a traffic violation. As Deputies approached the car, they noticed that the occupants appeared to make an effort to conceal something. Officers spoke to Randolph and West and were given consent to search the vehicle.
A search of both suspects and the vehicle led to the discovery of a quarter ounce of heroin mixed with Fentanyl, commonly known as “China White Heroin.” Drug paraphernalia was also found.
Randolph and West were taken into custody and taken to the Iredell Co. Detention Center. The suspects were each held under a $200,000 secured bond. They will appear in District Court on December 30.
Randolph has a criminal history that includes two counts of misdemeanor assault on a female, two counts of misdemeanor possession of marijuana, D.W.I. level 5, driving while license revoked, hit & run with property damage, D.W.I. level 1, felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor larceny, and misdemeanor resisting a public officer.
48-year-old Thaddius Shawn Webb of Allendale Circle in Lenoir was arrested Saturday (December 7) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Webb was brought to the Caldwell County Detention Center under $2,500 secured bond. A Superior Court appearance us scheduled for January 13.
24-year-old Brandon Tyler Wiggins of 15th Street Place N.E. in Hickory was arrested by Hickory Police shortly before eight o'clock last night (December 9) for felony breaking & entering and misdemeanor counts of larceny and injury to personal property.
Wiggins is accused of breaking into the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church on 12th Avenue S.E. in Hickory. The suspect was found inside the church building where he was taken into custody without incident.
Following his arrest, Wiggins was jailed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility under a $5,000 secured bond. He was scheduled to make a first appearance in District Court today in Newton.
Hickory Man Jailed for Felony & Misdemeanor Failure to Appear
Written by Ralph Mangum
47-year-old Gary Todd Lineburg of 2nd Street Place S.W. in Hickory was arrested by Hickory Police this morning (December 10) on felony and misdemeanor counts of failure to appear. It's not clear on which charges Lineburg failed to appear in court, but he does have two upcoming court dates in Burke County next month for felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance, D.W.I., misdemeanor simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance, speeding, driving while license revoked, and some additional vehicular offenses. He faces charges in Catawba County for speeding and driving while license revoked.
Lineburg was taken into custody without incident at about 7:20 a.m. today at his residence. He was placed in the Catawba Co. Detention Facility with bond set at $8,000, secured. District Court dates in Morganton are coming up on February 3 & 7. An appearance in Newton was also scheduled for February 7.
Hudson Man Charged With Probation Violation, Assault
Written by Rob Eastwood
22-year-old Deangelo Marquise Beatty of Ken Dar Lane in Hudson was arrested Monday (December 9) by Hudson Police Officers. He's charged with two counts of felony probation violation. In addition, Beatty is charged with one count of assault on a female. He was confined in the Caldwell County Detention Center under $50,000 secured bond on the probation violation charges and no bond on the assault count. A District Court appearance is scheduled for January 16, a Superior Court date is February 3.
Felony Drug Charges Lodged Against Lenoir Man
Written by Rob Eastwood
51-year-old Travis Dwayne Enloe of Martin Place in Lenoir was arrested Monday (December 9) by Lenoir Police Officers. He's charged with felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver schedule II controlled substance and maintain a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance.
In addition, Enloe is charged with three counts of failure to appear and one traffic lane violation. Enloe was jailed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under $23,000 secured bond. A District Court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday (December 11).
Child Reportedly Abducted In Hickory, Found Safe By Long View Officer
Written by Rob Eastwood
On Monday (December 9) shortly before 9 p.m., Hickory Police responded to the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Gas Station on Highway 70 SW in reference to a stolen vehicle and child abduction. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the father of a three-year-old child who reported that he pumped gas into a 2017 Honda Accord that he was driving and had walked over to the outside cashier to pay for his gas.
While paying for the gas, a dark blue Volkswagen Jetta pulled beside of his car and an unidentified person wearing a hooded shirt with the hood pulled up exited the passenger side of the Volkswagen and jumped into the driver’s seat of the Honda Accord. The suspect stole the victim’s vehicle with his daughter seated in the rear passenger area of the vehicle.
Information was immediately provided to surrounding agencies in reference to the child and stolen vehicle. The vehicle was found shortly after 10 p.m. in the 400 block of 33rd Ave SW by a Long View Police Officer patrolling the area. The child was found unharmed inside the abandoned vehicle.
The suspect is described as being light-skinned, wearing a light colored hoodie and bandanna. The suspect’s race and sex are unknown at this time. Anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator Jesse Truesdell directly at 828-261-2636 or jtruesdell@hickorync.gov.
Hickory Firefighters Expected To Flow Hydrants In City Today
Written by Rob Eastwood
Hickory firefighters were expected to start flowing hydrants across the city Monday (December 9) and were planning to continue today (December 10). This is part of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) inspection process that will be conducted next week. During the inspection, firefighters will be required to flow water from hydrants throughout the City. ISO is used by insurance companies in most states to evaluate fire departments for the purpose of establishing a rating for fire departments and insurance premiums in the local areas.
During the ISO inspection process, firefighters and public utilities personnel will be working very close to busy streets while actually flowing water from hydrants. For the safety of all, motorists are encouraged to reduce their speed and exercise extreme caution when recognizing their path of travel will pass nearby hydrants being operated.
As a consequence of flushing, this operation sometimes causes brief water discoloration. If this should occur, call the City of Hickory at (828) 323-7500 to flush the water main line. After the main line is cleared of discoloration, homeowners should turn on an outside spigot to clear up the water inside the residence. Refrain from using hot water as soon as possible after experiencing discoloration to prevent the Hot Water Heater from getting discolored.
If residents have questions or concerns, they are encouraged to call the Hickory Fire Department at (828) 323-7420 or City of Hickory Public Utilities at (828) 323-7427.
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47-year-old Gretta Garee Maltba of Brook Street in Lenoir was arrested Saturday (December 7) by Caldwell County Sheriff's Officers. She's charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Maltba was brought to the Caldwell County Detention Center where bond was set at $2,500 secured. A District Court appearance was scheduled Monday (December 9).
Vehicle Theft, Kidnapping Charges Filed Against Lenoir Man
Written by Rob Eastwood
24-year-old Aaron Wayne Douglas II of Crown Court in Lenoir was arrested Monday (December 9) by Lenoir Police Officers. He's charged with felony counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and second-degree kidnapping. Douglas was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under $125,000 secured bond. A District Court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday (December 11).
Man Killed In Hickory Shooting Incident Monday (Updated, 10:51 a.m., 12/10/19)
Written by Rob Eastwood
A Catawba County man was killed in a shooting yesterday (December 9), a suspect is being sought. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Hickory Police Officers responded to 1st Street SE in reference to a man being shot and lying in a field. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, 30-year-old Jonathan Ian Credle of Hickory with an apparent gunshot wound to his torso.
Credle was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center for treatment where he died as a result of his injuries. This incident appears to be domestic related. All parties have been identified in this incident. Charges have not been filed at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator Anthony Horton directly at 828-261-2686 or ahorton@hickorync.gov.
Three Sentenced To Prison Time In Connection To Death Of 78-Year-Old Man In 2016
Written by Rob Eastwood
Three people connected to the murder of a man more than three years ago were convicted and sentenced for their roles in the death during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday (December 9).
41-year-old Thomas Gregory Ball of Hickory pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and concealment of death in the October 9, 2016, killing of 78-year-old Benny Daniels. His brother, 30-year-old Rodney Adam Ball, of Virginia, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder and concealment of death for his role in the crime.
Thomas Ball was issued a prison term of 20 to 25 years by the Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, following his plea. Judge Eady-Williams entered a sentence of nine to 13 years for Rodney Ball after he pleaded guilty to his role in Daniels’ death.
34-year-old Tabitha Lynn Harrison of Hickory was sentenced to a prison term of four to six years for her involvement after entering a guilty plea on September 16, 2019, to the offenses of accessory after the fact to murder and concealment of death.
Daniels’ body was found in a shallow grave covered in dirt and concrete not far from his house after family members reported him missing to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office on October 10, 2016. An autopsy report showed that he died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and upper body.
Thomas Ball and Harrison were renting a downstairs apartment from Daniels at his residence. A dispute between Daniels, Harrison and Thomas Ball took place, and Harrison was told to go downstairs at the residence. Before she did, Harrison saw shadows in another room that appeared to show one person strike another. While downstairs, she heard a commotion that sounded like someone beating the floor.
Later she saw Thomas Ball and Rodney Ball driving a tractor hauling something wrapped in a quilt on property of Daniels’ residence. The Balls were seen buying concrete prior to the discovery of Daniels’ body. Harrison initially told investigators she was not with them, but she also was seen in the passenger seat of a truck that belonged to Daniels when they were buying the concrete. Rodney Ball was in a back seat, and Thomas Ball was driving.
Mike Hoyle and Kerry Penley led the investigation for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant District Attorney Jamie Adams handled prosecution for the State with assistance from Legal Assistant Belinda Gaither.
