Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Asheville Buncombe Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers - 202 Haywood St Asheville, NC 28801(828) 250-6670

The Crime Stoppers program has experienced tremendous growth in the past year. In 1999, the board authorized approximately $2,000.00 in reward money. In previous years, this figure grew to an astronomical $25,000.00. An increase in advertising efforts has accounted for this growth. Currently the Crime Stoppers program has agreements with local media to help catch criminals. WLOS and the local government channel currently run clips on the "Mountains Most Wanted," which show pictures and give a physical description of suspects. The Asheville Citizen-Times regularly does pieces on crime suspects and crime arrests.

How does this program work?

The first step begins when a concerned citizen makes an anonymous telephone call to Crime Stoppers. The coordinator or Communications takes the information offered, and gets the individual's date of birth.

Information obtained by the Crime Stoppers coordinator will be forwarded to the appropriate agency and division.

The board will vote on the dollar amount to be awarded to the anonymous person when an arrest has been made based on the caller's tips.

When the caller contacts Crime Stoppers to check on the status of his/her file, the coordinator will inform him/her of the arrest and the reward money. The coordinator will get a physical description of the caller and will give him/her a receipt number to use to receive the cash money. A time and place to meet a board member will be set up.

The caller and board member will meet in the designated place, and the caller will have to write their receipt number on the paper, and will receive his/her cash reward.

Crime Stoppers is an important way for Buncombe County to get involved with keeping the community safe and crime free. Tips from anonymous callers are invaluable for law enforcement officials to find and apprehend suspects. Since January of 2001, approximately 230 felons have been arrested. Approximately 100 arrests are made yearly.

For more information regarding current offenders, please visit our Mountain's Most Wanted page. If you have information that would assist with the apprehension of any known offenders please contact: Lt. Ross Dillingham - Law Enforcement Coordinator - Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers (828) 255-5050 Email: tips@abcrimestoppers.org

Monday, February 23, 2009

Fairview NC Bank Robbery - Asheville Buncombe Investigators Need Your Help - Money Making Opportunity 4 You!

Buncombe County Sheriff’s Investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying the person responsible for a bank robbery in Fairview before Christmas.

On December 23, 2008 around 11:15 am a white male wearing a tan Carhartt jacket and carrying a black book bag entered the First Citizens Bank located at 1348 Charlotte Highway, displayed a gun to the tellers and demanded money.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of money the suspect left the bank and investigators believe he traveled down the open field behind the bank toward Fox Run Drive.

The suspect is described as a white male with dark hair, 5’8 to 5’10, 200-220 lbs.
If you have any information about this bank robbery, please call Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050. There is a cash reward offered in this case.

Buncombe, Asheville... Watch Out - Jury Duty Scam

The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he'll need some information for "verification purposes" -- your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number.

This is when you should hang up the phone. It's a scam.

Jury scams have been around for years, but have seen resurgence in recent months. Communities in more than a dozen states have issued public warnings about cold calls from people claiming to be court officials seeking personal information. As a rule, real court officers never ask for confidential information over the phone; they generally correspond with prospective jurors via mail.

The scam's bold simplicity may be what makes it so effective. Facing the unexpected threat of arrest, victims are caught off guard and may be quick to part with some information to defuse the situation.

With enough information, scammers can assume your identity and empty your bank accounts.

The jury scam is a simple variation of the identity-theft ploys that have proliferated in recent years as personal information and good credit have become thieves' preferred prey, particularly on the Internet. Scammers might tap your information to make a purchase on your credit card, but could just as easily sell your information to the highest bidder on the Internet's black market.

Protecting yourself is the key: Never give out personal information when you receive an unsolicited phone call. To report suspicious calls, please call your local District Court office (NC Western District Court phone - 771-7200) and local law enforcement (Sheriff's Office - 250-6670).

Asheville Buncombe Crime Stopper Reward - ATM Robbery

Asheville Buncombe Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information regarding the identity of two individuals who were involved in the breaking & entering of an ATM machine at a branch of RBC Centura Bank in Asheville, NC on January 5, 2009.
If you have information please call (828) 255-5050.

To View Photos of Suspects, Please Click HERE!

Cheap Rabies Shots - February 28, 2009 (and almost every month) in Asheville and Weaverville

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Division will be offering low cost vaccination clinics to allow you to keep your pet's vaccinations current.

Rabies shots $6 per pet, Combination shot $15 per pet (dogs), Combination shot $20 per pet (cats), Microchip $10


To receive a three-year rabies vaccine, you MUST bring the one-year certificate with you. Keep in mind that the rabies tag your pet wears around its neck does not include a date and cannot be used to verify prior vaccination. Please make sure to bring restraints for all your pets.
Clinics will be held on the last Saturday of every month at the following times and locations:
February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 31, and November 28.

Times will be 9 - 12pm at Superpetz (Brevard Road) and 1pm - 4pm at Tractor Supply (Monticello Road)

Asheville, Buncombe, Everyone... Watch Out for Work-At-Home Scams!

Consumers need to be vigilant when seeking employment on-line. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) continues to receive numerous complaints from individuals who have fallen victim to work-at-home scams.

Victims are often hired to "process payments", "transfer funds" or "reship products." These job scams involve the victims receiving and cashing fraudulent checks, transferring illegally obtained funds for the criminals, or receiving stolen merchandise and shipping it to the criminals.

Other victims sign up to be a "mystery shopper", receiving fraudulent checks with instructions to cash the checks and wire the funds to "test" a company's services. Victims are told they will be compensated with a portion of the merchandise or funds.

Work-at-home schemes attract otherwise innocent individuals, causing them to become part of criminal schemes without realizing they are engaging in illegal behavior.

Job scams often provide criminals the opportunity to commit identity theft when victims provide their personal information, sometimes even bank account information to their potential "employer." The criminal/employer can then use the victim's information to open credit cards, post on-line auctions, register Web sites, etc., in the victim's name to commit additional crimes.

If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

Asheville Buncombe Check Fraud Suspects

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying 2 females responsible for passing stolen checks at several businesses in Buncombe County, Henderson County and the City of Asheville.

The suspects are described as 2 white females 18-25 years of age both with longer dark hair. If anyone has information they are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Buncombe County Crime Prevention Services

Crime Prevention Services Include:

1) Community Watch: A program where a Crime Prevention Officer comes to your neighborhood once a month for three consecutive months. Each meeting lasts approximately forty-five minutes. We discuss with you personal protection while at home, work and on the road. Things you need to keep in the trunk of your car (spare tire, fire extinguisher, spare keys, tools, etc.). Home security - locks, lighting, shrubbery, etc. Fraud - how to prevent becoming a victim and other useful information.

2) Security Check: A Crime Prevention Officer come to your home or business, checks your security and makes inexpensive recommendations to help you better secure your home/business. We check your doors, locks, strike plates, hinges, windows, lighting and landscaping as well as answer any questions on security you might have. We type all information in our computer and send you a copy. This information is kept confidential.

3) CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design teaches how to best utilize crime prevention information when drawing up the rough draft on a home or business.

4) Extra Patrol: If you are going out of town on vacation or if you are having problems in your neighborhood, you can contact a Patrol Officer or call Crime Prevention for an extra patrol check. We will take down the information we need; dates, times, etc., and Patrol will check your home when possible.

5) Operation Identification: A program where we describe to you the importance of marking your valuables with your NC drivers license number so that if found, we can locate you to return your property. (Usually discussed at Community Watch meetings and security checks).

6) Construction Security: Advises owners of the places to mark their heavy equipment, tools and other equipment with their Owner Applied Number and find serial numbers that are hidden in case other serial numbers are removed.

7) Elder Crime Prevention: Teaching elderly to spot con artists, watch their personal possessions and protect themselves.

8) Vehicle/Personal Protection: Teaches the importance of being aware of potential situations and how to avoid them. Deals with the prevention of carjacking, theft, sexual assault, also discussions on how to get out of the truck if locked in, mace, and other weapons as well as safety in home and out.

9) Seat Belt Safety: Crime Prevention Officers check drivers for seat belt usage at different locations around the county. If the driver is wearing a seat belt he gets a bag of information. If they are not wearing a seat belt they get a warning.

10) Child ID: Kid care. Ways to help you identify your child. We also tell you the things you need to keep with the kid care packet that we might need.

11) Sheriff Office Tours: Groups of people tour the Sheriff's Office, learn about all of the different jobs we do and, if possible, meet the Sheriff.

12) P.A.C.: Teaches workers how to stop crime in the work place and how to report crime to supervisors, law enforcement or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

13) Business Crime: Teaches owners and managers how to prevent business crime. Covers the laws that deal with employee theft, breaking or entering, and shoplifting.

Contact Info
Sgt. Steve Oxner (828) 250-4547 steve.oxner@buncombecounty.org

Meet the North Carolina State Troopers, read some 2008 stats

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol's primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible.

Since 1929 the mission of the Highway Patrol has not changed. From a handful of Highway Patrolmen in 1929 the Highway Patrol now employs 1,813 Troopers to cover more than 78,000 miles of North Carolina roadways.
In 2008, the State Highway Patrol arrested 23,199 people for driving while impaired, seized $10 million worth of drugs, and investigated 1,081 fatalities on North Carolina highways. The Motor Carrier unit fined thousands of truck drivers for various violations.

Troopers and Motor Carrier Enforcement officers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations or re-route traffic around hazardous chemical spills. The Patrol stands ready, should any act of terrorism occur, to carry out the directives of Governor Beverly Perdue.

The Highway Patrol has eight troop locations throughout the state (*Our Note: Troop G is located in Asheville North Carolina on Tunnel Road East*). Located at each Troop is a Traffic Safety Information officer. These officers promote highway safety and provide presentations to schools, civic groups, or any other interested parties.

The Highway Patrol continues to promote highway safety through education and enforcement. The Highway Patrol has safety programs for bicycles, seat belts and school buses and its popular Buckle-in-Baby-Safely Program.
(This information taken from the NC State Troopers Website)

Asheville Police Department Crime Blotter, Blogger

APD assists with fugitive warrant
ASHEVILLE - At about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 5, Charlie District officers responded to 17 Blake Drive to assist U.S. Marshals with a warrant service on a suspect in home invasion burglaries that occurred in the Tampa, Fla., area.
Arrested was Michael Tad Williams, birth date 2/18/1975, of Tampa. He was placed in the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

Couple reports robbery
ASHEVILLE - At about 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 5 in the parking lot of a business located at 2345 Hendersonville Road, a man and a woman were reportedly approached by two armed black males dressed in dark clothing who demanded their wallets and cell phones. The suspects took the items and left the scene in an older model Buick sedan. No one was injured.

Second man arrested in Kenilworth home invasion
ASHEVILLE - Asheville police today (Feb. 4) arrested Terrell Davon Lucas, birth date 4/6/1992, in connection with a first-degree burglary at a Kenilworth residence that occurred on Jan. 10.
Lucas, of Asheville, has been charged with 3 counts of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and 1 count of First-Degree Burglary. Bond was set at $25,000.
Police previously arrested Darrell Lamar Sullivan Jr., in connection with the same incident. Sullivan, birth date 1/2/1986, of Asheville, was charged with 3 counts of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and 1 count of First-Degree Burglary. He had also been arrested on Jan. 3 for Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver for an incident in which he tried to sell crack cocaine to officers during a Drug Suppression Unit interdiction operation at Pisgah View Apartments.
The investigation is ongoing regarding other suspects in the Kenilworth incident.
Victims said three black males entered the house, brandished a firearm, and stole items including video games, an iPod and digital scales.

Man arrested in shooting
ASHEVILLE - Asheville police on Feb. 3 arrested and charged Wesley Norris Gray, birth date 10/3/1945, of Swannanoa, for Assault With a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and Possession of a Firearm by Felon in connection with an incident that occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Police had responded to a call of a gunshot wound at 10 Hildebrand St. The victim said another man had shot him in the hand. The victim refused to be transported to the hospital by EMS and was later transported by family members.
Mr. Gray's bond was set at $20,000.

Man reports assault, stolen laptop
ASHEVILLE - A man reported to police on the afternoon of Feb. 2 that he had been assaulted and that his laptop was taken during an incident that occurred at 9 p.m. on Feb. 1. The victim said he was walking along Deaverview Road that night trying to locate Internet service for his computer when two white males knocked him to the ground and took his computer and his cash. He said one suspect had a shaved head and the other had long hair, but could give no further details. The victim's injuries were not life threatening. The case is under investigation.

Man reports robbery
ASHEVILLE - A man reported to police on the afternoon of Jan. 30 that he had been robbed by an armed black male outside 157 Charlotte St., at about 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 29. The victim said the suspect forced him to hand over his cash and cell phone and then ran away. The suspect was described as being 6' tall with a medium build. His hair was in small dreadlocks and he was wearing dark clothing. There were no injuries.

Asheville police charge man in 1990 homicide
ASHEVILLE – Asheville police detectives today (Jan. 29) charged a Swannanoa man in the 1990 death of a woman at Deaverview Apartments.
Terry Luther Spivey, birth date 3/28/1947, of Christian Creek Road, is charged with Second-Degree Murder in the death of Sandra Proffitt. Ms. Proffitt, birth date 10/2/1949, had been a victim of domestic violence. She succumbed to injuries sustained in an altercation with Mr. Spivey in January 1990. At that time, the couple told officials that she was hurt in a fall. She died shortly thereafter at Mission Hospitals.
Detectives this week received new information in the case that enabled them to re-interview and subsequently charge Mr. Spivey in Ms. Proffitt’s death.
Asheville police want the public to know that homicide cases are never closed.
Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) continue to build on the work of the previous investigators in such cases.
“Detectives’ findings, combined with advances in technology or with new information received from the public, can ultimately lead to an arrest,” CID Capt. Tim Splain said. “We are always hoping to find that one piece of evidence that would identify a suspect or that would give some sense of closure to the victim’s family.”
CID is actively pursuing some 23 unsolved homicide investigations dating back to 1969. Mr. Spivey is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Center under no bond.

Man sustains minor inury in shooting
ASHEVILLE - Shortly before 9 p.m. on Jan. 26, Asheville police responded to a call of a gunshot wound at 10 Hildebrand St.
The victim said another man had shot him in the hand. The victim refused to be transported to the hospital by EMS and was later taken by family members to be treated for a minor injury. Detectives have issued a warrant on Wesley Norris Gray, birth date 10/3/1945, of Swannanoa, for Assault With a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury.
DSU seizes nearly 2 kilos
ASHEVILLE - Drug Suppression Unit officers on Jan. 23 conducted a traffic stop at 780 Hendersonville Road, following several days of surveillance on the Ascot Point Apartments. Arrested was Delaney Lamont Smith, birth date 1/29/1978, on 2 counts of felony Trafficking in Cocaine.
DSU seized about 1,983.84 grams of powder cocaine -- just under 2 kilos.
Officers also issued warrants for Boevino Antwane Hammond, birth date 3/31/1981, on 2 counts of felony Trafficking in Cocaine.

APD arrests man in first-degree burglary of apartment *
ASHEVILLE – Asheville police on Jan. 21 charged Matthew Rion Gray, birth date 5/17/1984, in the first-degree burglary of an apartment on Unaka Avenue.
He is charged with 2 counts of Robbery with A Dangerous Weapon, First-Degree Burglary and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in the incident, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on Jan. 14.
A man at the residence told police that as he knocked on the apartment door, an unknown male approached him and put a gun to his head. He said he was then robbed of his phone, cash and car keys by another unknown male. When the apartment door opened, the two suspects pushed their way in, knocking the man to the floor in the process. The suspects subsequently robbed the residence of computer and phone equipment and a rifle and also took the male victim’s car. Police recovered the vehicle a few hours later.
Mr. Gray’s bond was set at $100,000.
* UPDATE (Jan. 26): Asheville police on Jan. 23 arrested the second suspect in this case, Joshua Daniel Garren, birth date 2/01/1986, of Asheville. He was charged with 2 counts of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, First-Degree Burglary and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. Bond was set at $100,000.

Siblings wanted in Asheville arrested in Charlotte*
ASHEVILLE – A brother and sister facing robbery charges in Asheville have been arrested for an attempted bank robbery in Charlotte.
The Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 20 arrested Crystal Chevon Logan, birth date 1/10/1984, and Alfred Louis Logan Jr., birth date 10/20/1979, both of Asheville, on the following charges:
• Crystal Logan: Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Officer. Bond was set at $350,000.• Alfred Logan, Jr.: Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Bond was set at $300,000.
Charlotte media reported that Ms. Logan walked into the Charlotte Metro Credit Union on Independence Boulevard, told the teller she had a bomb and demanded money. Mr. Logan was her alleged accomplice and driver. They did not get away with any money and fled in their vehicle. The siblings were arrested shortly thereafter.
Crystal Logan was arrested by Asheville police on Jan. 6 for the following armed robberies, which she committed with Rachael Lauren Boss, birth date 03/28/1989, also of Asheville:• Dec. 9, 2008: ABC Store, 205 Tunnel Road• Nov. 6, 2008: Quality Inn, 1430 Tunnel Road• Nov. 2, 2008: Ramada Inn, 800 Fairview Road• Oct. 25, 2008: Market Center Express, 3715 Sweeten Creek Road• Oct. 25, 2008: One Stop #19, 891 Tunnel Road• Oct. 19, 2008: Market Center Express, 3715 Sweeten Creek Road• Sept. 22, 2008: Quality Inn, 1 Skyline Inn Drive, Arden• Sept. 21, 2008: Days Inn, 1435 Tunnel Road. Ms. Logan also has an open warrant in Buncombe County for Misdemeanor Larceny. She made bond on the robbery charges and went to Charlotte. Mr. Logan is wanted in Asheville on a felony probation violation and for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon for an incident that occurred on Dec. 10, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 234 Hendersonville Road. Asheville police are coordinating with Mecklenburg authorities for service of the Buncombe County warrants on both Logans.

* UPDATE (Jan. 26): Buncombe County Sheriff's Deputies today (Jan. 26) arrested the other suspect in the armed robbery in which Alfred Louis Logan Jr. is also charged. Joe Lindsey Taylor III, birth date 5/20/1989, of Asheville, was charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon for the incident at the Holiday Inn Express on Hendersonville Road on Dec. 10.
2 sought on multiple fraud charges

ASHEVILLE – Asheville Police are seeking two people in multiple incidents in which they passed fraudulent checks at local banks and business. Jason Michael Churchill, birth date 9/27/1985, of 4 Farrwood Ave., in Asheville; and Michelle Antoinnette Perez, birth date 1/9/1985, also of 4 Farrwood Ave., in Asheville are wanted for writing checks on closed bank accounts; paying for merchandise with worthless checks; and opening a checking account at one bank using checks from an insufficient account at another bank. Warrants have been issued for the following:Churchill --- 5 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense-- 1 count of Uttering a Forged Instrument-- 1 count of Forgery of Instrument-- 1 count of Simple Worthless CheckPerez --- 3 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense-- 1 count of Free Text-Felony (failure to return a rental car) Churchill is also wanted in Denver, Colo., on a larceny charge. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the APD at (828) 252-1110 or CrimeStoppers at (828) 255-5050.

Man pleads guilty to sexual battery
ASHEVILLE - A Fletcher man on Jan. 22 pleaded guilty in District Court to two counts of Sexual Battery related to incidents in which he groped women at local WalMart stores.
Christopher Michael Sims, birth date 12/28/1975, of Fletcher, assaulted a woman at the WalMart Supercenter in east Asheville on May 20, 2008. On the same date, about an hour later, he assaulted another woman at the same store. Sims was also charged with Sexual Battery in Henderson County, where he assaulted a woman inside the Hendersonville WalMart on Sept. 10, 2008. Media reports of that incident, as well as victims’ testimony, assisted detectives in identifying Sims as the suspect in the Asheville incidents.
Asheville Police Det. Ricardo Martinez worked with Hendersonville Police and Fletcher Police on the cases.Sims had been in jail for 58 days and was given time served. As part of his sentence, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

Man arrested on drug charges
ASHEVILLE - The Drug Suppression Unit on Jan. 21 did a knock-and-talk at 37-E Pisgah View Apartments, which resulted in the following arrest and charges:
Alphonso Lee Speaks Logan, birth date 3/17/1976, for Trafficking in Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and Possession of Firearm by Felon. Officers seized 56.8 grams of crack cocaine, $1,800 dollars in U.S. currency, and a .40- caliber Glock. Bond was set at $40,000.

Woman reports burglary at apartment
ASHEVILLE - Asheville Police responded to an apartment on Cherry Street at about 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 to investigate a reported first-degree burglary. The victim stated that three black males barged into her apartment through the unlocked door.
She told police that at least one of the suspects physically assaulted her. The victim said she was left alone a few times during the incident, during which time she text-messaged a friend to call police. The suspects left the scene, taking one digital camera. The victim was transported to Mission Hospitals to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police investigate child's death
ASHEVILLE - Asheville police are investigating the apparent accidental death of a 21-month-old child at a residence in the South/Central District on Jan. 18. The child and a 2-year-old sibling were reportedly alone in a bedroom of the house when the death occurred. Per standard procedure, the Department of Social Services is also investigating.

Woman reports first-degree burglary
ASHEVILLE - Asheville police are investigating a reported first-degree burglary that occurred at about 9 p.m. Jan. 16 at a residence on Dorchester Avenue. The victim told police that three men had forced entry into her home, displayed firearms and demanded money. She directed them to her purse, from which they took $75. The suspects were described as three black males dressed in baggy clothing. One wore a long, black, hooded overcoat and the other two had their faces covered. The victim said she was not injured. West District officers canvassed the neighborhood, but did not locate the suspects. The case is under investigation.

Man reports armed robbery
ASHEVILLE - on Jan. 15 1:13 a.m., police were dispatched to the gas station at Amboy Road/State Street in reference to a reported Armed Robbery. The victim, who said he is homeless, told police that he was robbed by two black males behind the gas station and that one of them had a chrome handgun. He then stated that the incident occurred at Pisgah View Apartments. The victim was visibly intoxicated, at one point disrobing in front of officers who were trying to take his statement. The victim then walked away from police before further information could be obtained.

Young promoted to supervisor
ASHEVILLE - Angela D. Young has been promoted within the APD's Communications Unit to the new and challenging position of communications supervisor. Ms. Young grew up in Asheville and graduated from Roberson High School. She has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Social Services from A-B Tech and has been employed in the Communications Unit since 2004. She has performed numerous roles, including acting supervisor and field training officer.
She was named the department's Employee of the Month for December 2008.

Men arrested on drug charges
ASHEVILLE - Drug Suppression Unit officers on Jan. 13 did a “knock & talk” at 24 Wellington St. in reference to numerous drug complaints by neighbors. This resulted in the arrest of the following men on felony drug charges: Brian Montreal Pickens, birth date 2/14/1985, with Trafficking in Crack Cocaine and Possession of Firearm by Felon; Charles Louis Pickens III, birth date 6/17/1988, with Trafficking in Crack Cocaine; and Brandon Michael Pickens, birth date 2/14/1985, with Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver.
Officers seized approximately 38 grams of crack, $6,095 in U.S. currency, marijuana, and a handgun.

Robbery reported at convenience store
ASHEVILLE - Police received a report of an armed robbery that occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Jan. 13 at a convenience store located at 491 Sardis Road. The suspect entered the store, approached the counter, displayed a handgun and demanded money. He left the scene on foot. The suspect was described as being either black or Hispanic, about 5' 10" tall, wearing a dark toboggan hat and a dark blue ski jacket. The suspect had a dark mustache. No one was injured.

Man reports robbery after taking ride
ASHEVILLE - At 12:47 a.m. Jan. 14, a man told police that he was robbed at gunpoint on the street near 495 Haywood Road. The man told officers that as he was walking, a vehicle pulled along side of him and the driver, whom he did not know, offered him a ride. The man got into the vehicle and said that the suspect pulled out a handgun and demanded his wallet. The victim complied, and then got out of the car. He was not injured. The suspect is described as a black male, in his late 30s to early early 40s, with a scar on the right side of face. The vehicle was described as a black, older GM type car with dark tinted windows.

2 charged with impersonating law enforcement officers, robberies
ASHEVILLE – Detectives with the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office have today charged two men in several recent cases of impersonating law enforcement and robbery. The two suspects were posing as plainclothes officers and initiating traffic stops in an unmarked Dodge Charger as a means to rob victims. Charged are:
Jason Everette Allen, birth date 12/22/1981, of Arden, with the following:Free Text- Felony x 2 (Impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer)Common Law Robbery x 2Financial Card TheftSimple Worthless CheckSecond-Degree Kidnapping x 2Bond was set at $70,000 secured.
Gregory Neal Hitch, birth date 04/04/1980, of Fletcher, with the following:Free Text- Felony x 2 (Impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer)Common Law Robbery x 2Financial Card TheftSecond-Degree Kidnapping x 2Bond was set at $35,000 secured.
The charges stem from the following incidents:12/25/2008: Lookout Road, Buncombe CountyA single male initiated a traffic stop on a female driver who told him that she was calling 911 to verify it was a legitimate stop. The impersonator drove off.

01/07/2009: Wellington Mobile Home Park, Buncombe CountyA man was pulling into his driveway at his residence when a white Dodge pulled up behind them and activated blue lights. Two males exited the white vehicle and approached him. The impersonators searched occupants of the vehicle, removed personal belongings, and left the scene.

01/08/2009: Bingham Road, AshevilleTwo people were pulling into their driveway at their residence when a white Dodge Charger pulled in behind them. Two males claiming to be law enforcement exited the Dodge and said there was an accident nearby and they needed to inspect the victims’ vehicle for damage. They searched the vehicle and patted down the male occupant before taking personal items and cash and leaving the scene.

Man charged in robberies after fleeing police
ASHEVILLE - A Marion man has been charged in two convenience store robberies that occurred a few minutes apart from each other on the evening of Jan. 11. The first was at the Biltmore Avenue Citi Stop, where the suspect grabbed cash from the register and ran out of the store. The second was at the Citgo, also on Biltmore Avenue, where the suspect also grabbed cash from the register and ran out. A witness in the second instance was able to give police a description of the suspect's vehicle. Officers later spotted the car, still on Biltmore. The suspect refused to stop for blue lights and drove into Lee Walker Heights, where he finally stopped his vehicle. As officers approached, the suspect got out of the vehicle, but then jumped back in and drove away.
The officers got back into their vehicle and caught up with the suspect again. This time, he jumped out of the car and ran. Two detectives who were in the area saw him run onto the roadway at Southside. They apprehended him after a foot chase. Arrested was Leon William Jones, birth date 8/15/1983. He was charged with two counts of Common Law Robbery, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resist, Delay, Obstruct. Mr. Jones was also wanted for a robbery that occurred on Jan. 11 in McDowell County. He was placed under a $28,00 bond.
Detectives investigate first-degree burglary

ASHEVILLE - Asheville police detectives are investigating a reported first-degree burglary of a couple's residence on Sunset Summit that occurred this morning (Jan. 11). Police received a call at 9:43 a.m. that two white males wearing all black clothing and ski masks had entered the residence shortly after the husband left the residence to get breakfast. The two suspects had been dropped off at the scene by a white female driving an older model dark green 4-door Buick with a sunroof. The two suspects entered the house, displayed a handgun, and made the wife lie down as they searched the residence. The husband returned and both he and his wife were taken to a bedroom and tied up. The suspects took firearms, jewelry, cash, and bank cards. The two suspects left the scene in the couple's gray Subaru Legacy. The man and woman were not injured.
At the time of this posting, detectives are conducting several interviews in the case. Any updates will be transmitted via media release and/or updated on this page.
UPDATED 01/12/2009:
A regional broadcast describing the suspects was immediately sent to law enforcement when the home invasion was reported. Buncombe County deputies quickly responded with information that was later used to positively identify the suspects.
Asheville police took the suspects into custody this morning at the Hampton Inn on Tunnel Road without incident. The majority of the stolen property has been returned to the victims.
Charged were:--Jessica Starr Thomas, birth date 5/24/1991, of Asheville, with:First-Degree Kidnapping x 2Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon x 2Felony Breaking & Entering x 2Bond was set at $120,000 secured.
--Blake Fran McGrath, birth date 11/5/1983, of Hickory, with:First-Degree Kidnapping x 2Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon x 2Felony Breaking & Entering x 2Larceny of Motor Vehicle x 2Bond was set at $130,000 secured.
--Christopher Matthew Hassell, birth date 7/3/1984, of Leicester, with:First-Degree Kidnapping x 2Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon x 2Felony Breaking & Entering x 2Larceny of Motor Vehicle x 2Felony Possession of CocaineServed with Outstanding Warrant for Driving While License RevokedBond was set at $94,000 secured.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Sign up for Asheville Police Academy today!

ASHEVILLE – The Asheville Police Department is now inviting residents to apply for the spring semester of its Citizens Police Academy.

This free program gives participants insight into the philosophy and policies that govern the APD’s service to the community.

The class is designed to give residents an appreciation for the problems and challenges facing law enforcement, as well as an up-close opportunity to offer insights, ideas and solutions.

The academy lasts for 11 consecutive weeks, with three-hour classes held on Thursdays.
The course consists of basic classroom instruction, presentations, and demonstrations on topics such as criminal investigations, constitutional and criminal law, use of force, departmental structure and defensive tactics. Participants will also be able to ride with police officers on patrol.

The final day of the class ends with a graduation ceremony. Classes begin March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the police department. Those wishing to participate must apply and be accepted. The signup deadline is March 2.

For more information on the academy, contact Officer Allen Dunlap at 259-5834 or adunlap@ashevillenc.gov.

Taken from AshVegas!, Thank you!

Asheville Crime Stoppers - Asheville North Carolina

You will meet some of the Local Law Enforcement and Police Departments, get some great safety tips, and help "take a bite" out of some Asheville crime.

Asheville Police Department - Click HERE.
Buncombe County Sheriff's Department - Click HERE.
North Carolina State Troopers - Click HERE. (Asheville Troop G)
Woodfin Police Department - Click HERE.
Weaverville Police Department - Click HERE.
Black Mountain Police Department - Click HERE.