Local and State Headlines for Thursday, January 10th, 2018

Former Officer Suing Asheville Police Chief (Asheville, NC)

An ex-officer is suing former Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper for libel and slander.  The Citizen-Times is reporting that Sergeant Lisa Taube claims Hooper used her as a scapegoat in the fallout of a pedestrian beating caught on camera in August 2017.  Ex-officer Chris Hickman is facing felony assault charges in the case.  Hooper resigned at the beginning of this year, while Taube left the department last August. 

Sheriff:  Suspect Shot By Deputy In Rutherford County (Rutherford County, NC)

The SBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Rutherford County.  A deputy reportedly tried to arrest a suspect with an active warrant last night between Lake Lure and Union Mills when a fight broke out between the two.  Sheriff Chris Francis told WLOS-TV that the deputy fired a shot after the suspect tried to grab his taser.  Both of them ended up at the hospital.

Armed Robbery Suspect Caught After Allegedly Leading Deputies On Chase (Henderson County, NC)

An armed robbery suspect who allegedly led Henderson County deputies on a chase this week is in jail.  Cameron Sellers was wanted for an armed robbery last weekend in Hendersonville.  Investigators said gunshots were fired at them as Sellers led them on a chase toward Mill River on Tuesday.  They were able to arrest him and a Hendersonville woman after their U-Haul truck got stuck in an apple orchard near I-26.  

Snow And Sleet Expected On Saturday (Asheville, NC)

The potential for wintry weather in Western North Carolina is increasing as the weekend moves closer.  The National Weather Service is calling for a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain at some point on Saturday.  Temperatures should be warm enough on Sunday to turn everything to rain in Asheville.  Windy conditions across the region are expected to gradually die down today.  

Red Cross Helping Evacuated Apartment Residents (Marion, NC)

The American Red Cross is helping out residents who have evacuated from a Marion apartment complex.  A voluntary evacuation notice was sent out this week at the Westwood Chateau Complex after a potential sinkhole formation was found under the apartments.  A homeowners association representative says the level of the lake behind the complex will be lowered in hope of pinpointing the problem.  The Red Cross advised they would help residents with hotels for a couple of days.

Boy Safe After Fallen Tree Pins Him Inside Home (Black Mountain, NC)

Black Mountain fire officials say a boy who was trapped underneath a fallen tree yesterday is okay.  The tree toppled onto his family's mobile home around 4 p.m.  It reportedly took emergency crews an hour-and-a-half to finally free the six-year-old.  He was taken to the hospital out of precaution. 

Suspect In Deadly Hit-And-Run Arrested (Charlotte, NC)

The CMPD says the suspected driver of a deadly hit-and-run yesterday has been caught.  Officers tracked him down after analyzing debris and looking at video footage from the scene on Central Avenue in east Charlotte.  An elderly man was reportedly hit while trying to cross the road around 6 p.m.  The suspect was charged with felony hit-and-run. 

Panthers Parting Ways With Veteran Linebacker (Charlotte, NC)

The Carolina Panthers and linebacker Thomas Davis are parting ways.  The 14-year-veteran said in an emotional Twitter video last night that he was told the Panthers are moving in a different direction.  Davis thanked the organization and called his longtime tenure with the team amazing.  He'll be an unrestricted free agent in March. 

Couple Caught Squatting In Million-Dollar Home (Davidson, NC)

A couple is being accused of squatting in a multi-million-dollar home in Davidson.  WSOC-TV says they used a hide-a-key to get into the vacant home on Concord Road last Friday before unloading a UHaul truck full of property inside.  The owners of the for-sale property called Davidson Police.  The suspects said they are members of the Moorish Nation, who claim immunity from authorities. 

Man Shot In University City On Sunday Dies (Charlotte, NC)

A man shot last Sunday in University City is dead.  The CMPD said he was found on Pimpernel Road near I-485.  The victim died at the hospital on Wednesday.  No information has been released on a possible suspect.  

Gang Member Arrested With Meth In Gaston County (Gaston County, NC)

A known gang member is in Gaston County jail on drug charges.  Investigators said Cristian Cabrera-Rivas and two other suspects were arrested on Monday while in possession of 200-thousand-dollars worth of methamphetamine.  All three are reportedly illegal immigrants. 

A Raleigh Cop Shot Several Times In Surgery, Two Suspects In Custody (Raleigh, NC)

A Raleigh police officer is in surgery at WakeMed after being shot several times.  Police say he was shot late last night trying to arrest a suspect on Western Boulevard.  Police say after a massive manhunt, they had two suspects in custody.  The officer's condition isn't known, but the Raleigh Police Department says they're praying for the best outcome.

Deputies Find A Body After Shooting A Man In A Standoff (Durham Co., NC)

Deputies in Durham County say they found a body after a standoff.  They were called to a house on Tomahawk Trail last night for a welfare check after being called about a possible murder.  A man had barricaded himself in the home and it took five hours for deputies to get inside.  The suspect was shot and taken into custody, and a male family member was found dead inside.  The suspect is expected to survive.  The deputy who fired his gun is on leave pending a routine internal investigation.

Four Teens Arrested For A Rocky Mount Murder (Rocky Mount, NC)

Four teens are facing charges for a murder in Rocky Mount.  Police say on Sunday night, 20-year-old Mikell Sheridan was found shot to death on Union Street.  Since then, a 15-year-old juvenile, two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old were charged with first-degree murder.  The juvenile is being held at a juvenile detention facility and the three older suspects arrested are in jail without bond.

Police Seek A Suspect In Connection With A New Year's Day Double Homicide (Durham, NC)

A Durham man is accused of killing two people.  Durham police announced yesterday that they charged 20-year-old Jose Vargas-Regino for a New Year's Day double homicide on House Avenue.  Vargas-Regino isn't in custody and police ask anyone with information on where he might be to call.  

Raleigh May Be In For Some Snowy Weather (Raleigh, NC)

Raleigh could see some snow this weekend.  Forecasters say a system is moving in and we should see a wintry mix.  There's a 50-percent chance of snow and rain on Saturday.  On Sunday there's a 70-percent chance of cold rain with some snow.  The forecast could change, but as of now, little to no accumulation is expected.

Fort Bragg Soldiers Deployed To The Southern Border (Fort Bragg, NC)

Some Fort Bragg soldiers are going to the southern border.  ABC-Eleven reports that more than 100 Fort Bragg soldiers were deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Homeland Security and customs officials.  They will help out as military police officers and help fortify border fences.  

Man Arrested In Greensboro Sextortion Case (Greensboro, NC)

The University of North Carolina Greensboro is announcing an arrest after a three-month-long "sextorition" investigation.  Kevin Kerney is facing several counts of extortion and cyber stalking.  Officers say he pretended to be a modeling agent to solicit photos from young women.  They say Kerney then threatened to make the images public unless the victims handed over access to their social media accounts.  

One Killed, Two Hurt In DWI-Related Wreck Involving School Bus (High Point, NC)

A woman is dead after the car she was riding in blew through a stop sign in High Point and struck a school bus.  The accident happened Tuesday afternoon near Meredith Street and Oneka Avenue.  Twenty-nine-year-old Shena Montgomery died of her injuries.  Police say the driver, who was ejected from the vehicle, was driving drunk.  No other serious injuries were reported. 

Two Men Arrested During Drug Raid At Lexington Restaurant (Lexington, NC)

Two men are under arrest after a drug raid at a Lexington restaurant.  It happened Tuesday night at Stone Creek Seafood Shack.  Davidson County sheriff's officials say investigators found three pounds of methamphetamine at the restaurant, as well as more drugs and guns at the suspects' homes.  Nester and Claro Gonzalez are being held on five-million-dollar bonds.  ICE has also filed detainers on the men.

Woman Involved In Police Chase In Randolph Co. ID'd (Randolph Co., NC)

An Asheboro woman is accused of leading police on a chase in Randolph County before crashing the vehicle.  The scene unfolded yesterday morning during a traffic stop.  Police say Jennifer Brower Auman led them on a chase out of city limits, and that's when the sheriff's office took over and deployed stop sticks.  The vehicle flipped on N.C. Highway 49, near Salem Church Road, and Auman was taken to the hospital.  She's facing several charges, including felony fleeing to elude arrest and reckless driving.  Deputies also say she had warrants out on drug-related charges. 

Winston-Salem PD Shed Light On Cold Case Disappearance (Winston-Salem, NC)

Winston-Salem police are trying to shed some light on a two-year-old disappearance.  Sixty-three-year-old Mary Smith vanished from a Motel 6 on North Patterson Avenue on March 9th, 2017.  Police say they have followed eight leads and received dozens of tips with no luck.  Anyone with information is urged to come forward.  Police say no amount of information is too small.


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