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.