STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - On Feb. 4, 2010, deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Traffic Enforcement and K9 Unit along with the Community Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Rafael Rodriguez Torres travelling on US 321.

During the stop LCSO K9 Dogan alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Subsequent to the K9 alert, deputies located and seized approx. 170 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $102,000.00.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - On 01-27-2010 at approximately 10:30 pm., a white male wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt with dark pants and white tennis shoes disguised with a ski mask entered the Kingsway #18 at 1316 N Aspen St. in Lincolnton, NC 28092.

The suspect brandished a dark semi auto hand gun.

The suspect ordered the clerk to give him the money.

The clerk put the money in a brown paper bag the suspect took the bag and left the store and there is no vehicle information at this time.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - Our photographer, Melany Dawn Crouse, took this photo this morning around 11:15 a.m. on the east side of the Court House in Lincolnton.

The truck involved slammed into a light post directly in front of the building but no one appeared to be hurt in the accident.

It is not known as to whether "black ice" had anything to do with the accident.

STAFF REPORTS

CHERRYVILLE – The Cherryville Police Department reports that on 1/29/10 the Cherryville police arrested Jason Michael Wells, a white male, age 32 of 108 Wright Circle in Cherryville and charged him with (1) count of indecent liberties with a child .

The incident occurred on January 12th at the Food Lion in Cherryville.
The 12-year-old victim went with her father and Wells to Food Lion to buy groceries.

After buying the groceries the victim’s father was putting the groceries in the car as Wells opened the door to the car to let the victim in when he grabbed her buttocks and fondled her in her private parts.

By Jason Saine & Melany Dawn Crouse

LINCOLNTON - Firefighters train constantly for the "what if" situations that they potentially face everyday when responding to emergencies.

The City of Lincolnton Fire Department conducted training excercises on Friday just hours prior to the winter weather moving into North Carolina.

Photographers for the Lincoln Tribune, Jeff and Melany Dawn Crouse, got an up close and personal view of high angle rescue operations with LFD members.

Knowledge of high angle rescue is vital to many emergency service personnel as any situation can arise when they are on duty.

Even though inclimate weather was threatening, the firefighters continued their training as planned.

The Lincolnton Fire Department has a number of taller buildings in their service district which includes the downtown area of Lincolnton.

STAFF REPORTS

DENVER - On Saturday, January 23 around 7:00am, a black 12ft utility trailer was stolen from Superior Power Products located at 3840 NC Hwy 16 in Denver.

The photo shows the suspect vehicle, a late 70’s Chevrolet or GMC pickup, pulling the victim’s property from behind the business.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - On Friday afternoon as the winter weather began reaching Lincolnton, the Lincolnton, South Fork and Crouse Fire Departments were called to this home located at 1492 Rhodes Rhyne Road for a structure fire.

The call came at 3:34 p.m.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.

(Photo by Melany Dawn Crouse.)

STAFF REPORTS

DENVER, NC – On Saturday, Sheriff Department deputies were assisting the North Carolina Highway Patrol at a vehicle collision near Westport Baptist Church on Highway 16 in Denver where the driver of the vehicle ran from the scene.

The suspect was identified as Steven Long.

The NC State Trooper obtained a phone number for Mr. Long and called him.

Mr. Long stated that he was in the woods and bleeding and needed someone to take him home.

Deputies, Highway Patrol & the Fire Department searched for Mr. Long but could not locate him.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department is reporting that have made arrests regarding a break-in on 12/28/09.

While investigating a breaking and entering that occurred off of Salem Church Rd, in which Mark Anthony Wright was listed as a possible suspect due to his presence on the property just before an outbuilding door was found kicked in and items missing from inside, Officer J. Frye responded out to Mark Anthony Wright’s address on Shady Pine Lane in Lincolnton.

Upon arrival at this address, Officer Frye located numerous weedeaters and other power equipment located in the front yard of the residence in plain view.

STAFF REPORTS
LINCOLN COUNTY - On 01-01-10 a break-in from a residence on Mack Ballard Road was reported.

A 14 piece Ping G10 men’s golf club set with black bag, a 14 piece ladies golf club set with pink bag, a US Jr. kids golf club set, a metal frame Total Gym bench, a Kodak digital 5.1 pixel camera, a 1958 Yogi Berra baseball card, a 1966 Pete Rose baseball card and a 1967 Pete Rose baseball card were stolen.

STAFF REPORTS

DENVER, NC - On January 01, 2010 at around 2:00am there was a shooting in the parking lot of Neat Martini Bar located at 751 North NC 16, Denver, North Carolina.

Two people were shot in the incident, and the shooter fled the scene in a mid 90”s Gold or Champaign colored E series Mercedes four door.

The vehicle was last seen traveling South on Hwy 16 towards Hwy 73. The suspect is a black male around 5.9 to 6.0 tall weighing around 230 to 250 pounds. He has “corn rows” and facial hair.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08585
Embezzlement
Assigned: Detective Alvarado
Location: 6610 Denver Industrial Park Rd.
Victim: Carolina Comfort Systems
Employee converting funds for personal use
Date Reported: December 22, 2009
District C

STAFF REPORTS

DENVER, NC - A family has their lives and not much else after an early morning fire destroyed their home in the Smithstone Development in Denver, NC.

Fire crews from local fire departments were dispatched just after 4 a.m. to the two-story home where a fire apparently started in the attic of the home.

A family of three was inside the home which is located on Smith Cove Road, when the fire started, but was able to get out safely.

by Jim Kouri

A Nigerian man claiming to be part of the al-Qaeda terrorist group was charged in a federal criminal complaint on Saturday with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day, and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft, according to documents obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian national, boarded Northwest Flight 253 in Amsterdam, Netherlands on December 24, 2009 and had a device attached to his body. As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion.

STAFF REPORTS

MOORESVILLE, NC – A Denver, NC man has been arrested for driving a Lexus through the door of the Quick Mart located on 1228 River Highway in Mooresville and robbing the store of money and lottery tickets.

The man charged with the robbery is James Edward Wacob III of 7299 Executive Drive in Denver.

The crime happened at around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

When deputies responded they found a 1995 Lexus LS 400 was backed through the front door and the business was robbed of money and lottery tickets.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08550
Unauthorized Use of MV
Assigned: Officer Wise
Location: 2737 Landers Church Rd.
Victim: Julie Skidmore
Suspect did not return vehicle
Date Reported: December 21, 2009
District A

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08518
Damage to Property
Assigned: Officer Frye
Location: 3271 Philadelphia Ch. Rd.
Victim: David Haskell
Suspect damaged vehicle
Date Reported: December 18, 2009
District B

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Crime Stoppers of Lincolnton-Lincoln County is requesting assistance from the public to help solve the following crimes, both occurring on December 15, 2009. Persons with information regarding these incidents, or persons who come in contact with anyone in possession of or trying to sell any of the listed property are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.

Anonymous tips that lead to arrest could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

On December 15, 2009, a home under construction was broken into and two white Whirlpool dishwashers, a Hunter brush-nickel ceiling fan and a 40 gallon Rheem hot water heater were stolen.

By Melany Dawn Crouse

LINCOLNTON - The driver and passengers in the silver vehicle pictured here took one wild ride on Sunday afternoon on Bethel Church Road.

The vehicle ran off of the road and then struck another vehicle.

One person was transported to the hospital and there was some speculation that "black ice" might have contributed to the accident.

The accident occured around 5:19 p.m. and Boger City Volunteer Fire Department responded.

Photo by Melany Dawn Crouse.

From Russia with Love: Russian Organized Crime
by Jim Kouri


(The following is an analysis by the National Association of Chiefs of Police Organized Crime Control Committee.)

In the two decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the world has become the target of a growing global crime threat from criminal organizations and criminal activities that have poured over the borders of Russia and other former Soviet republics such as Ukraine. The nature and variety of the crimes being committed seem unlimited — trafficking in women and children, drugs, arms trafficking, stolen automobiles, and money laundering are among the most prevalent.

The spillover is particularly troubling to Europe because of its geographical proximity to Russia, and to Israel, because of its large numbers of Russian immigrants. But no area of the world seems immune to this menace, especially not the United States. America is the land of opportunity for unloading criminal goods and laundering dirty money. For that reason — and because, unfortunately, much of the examination of Russian organized crime (the so-called "Russian Mafia") to date has been rather hyperbolic and sketchy — many in law enforcement believe it is important to step back and take an objective look at this growing phenomenon.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08394
B&E&L
Assigned: Detective Powell
1957 Cat Square Rd
Victim: Sain and Heavner
Took gallon of liquor and 2 chainsaws from property
Date Reported: 12-11-2009
District A

By Jason Saine

LINCOLNTON - Lincolnton Police responded to an accident at the intersection of Laurel and Sycamore Streets in Lincolnton on Thursday just after 1 p.m.

The driver of the blue Ford Mustang appeared to have neglected to stop at the intersection and hit a small pickup truck traveling on Sycamore Street behind First Citizens Bank.

No one was injured in the accident.

(Photo by Jason Saine)

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - Last week the South Fork Fire Department held their annual Christmas dinner for members of the department and their families.

Adam Dancoff, pictured here with South Fork Fire Chief Rick Ellis, received the Firefighter of the Year award.

South Fork Firefighters have been serving their community in Lincoln County since 1965.

(Photo contributed)

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLN COUNTY - On December 1, 2009, Walter Kennedy II was arrested by Concord Police and charged with Felony Breaking and Entering (three counts), Felony Larceny (two counts), Felony Possession of Stolen Goods (two counts), Felony Larceny of a Firearm (two counts), and Injury to Real Property stemming from incidents in Lincoln County. He was given a $75,000 bond on charges. A large amount of property was also recovered from Lincoln County as well as surrounding areas.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08371
Misdemeanor Child Abuse
Assigned: Officer Connor
Location: Hwy 150
Victim: Juvenile
Child Abuse
Date Reported: December 12, 2009
District A

Crime Stoppers/Sheriff’s Office Offer Tips to Protect Your
Home and Possessions

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - Crime Stoppers of Lincolnton-Lincoln County, Inc. and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office want to remind citizens to protect themselves and their belongings this holiday season. The following tips can help you deter burglaries and keep your possessions safe:

• When having people inside your home, such as delivery persons, contractors, handymen etc., politely ask them for their identification and document their information, including vehicle license numbers. Do not be afraid to let them know you are recording their information for your safety--only a dishonest person will object to this. If they act insulted or refuse, do not let them into your home. Do not allow them to be unsupervised in your home, if they use your restroom, check behind them immediately for missing items, a window that has been unlocked, or an alarm contact that has be tampered with or disabled.

By Jason Saine

DENVER, NC - A wreck on Highway 16 near Triangle circle damaged five cars and sent three elderly women to the hospital on Thursday evening.

East Lincoln Fire Department responded to the accident scene with Engine 32, Truck 34 and other vehicles along with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and Lincoln EMS.

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON - The following listing represents incident and arrest reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

This listing does not necessarily mean anyone at the listed address was accused of any crime, only that a report was made at that location. Also, it is advisable to understand that many people may have the same or similar names.

Local law enforcement asks that anyone with information about any of these incidents or to report a crime call CrimeStoppers at (704) 736-8909. CrimeStoppers allows you to remain anonymous and pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Incident reports are brought to you by Helms Security, Inc. in Lincolnton. Follow update “tweets” on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helmssecurity .

INCIDENTS
2009-08224
Possession of Sch. VI
Assigned: File Only (Alger)
Location: 2700 Block N Hwy 16
Victim: State of N.C.
Suspect in possession of Sch. VI
Date Reported: December 7, 2009
District C

By Melany Dawn Crouse

LINCOLNTON - An accident that involved two cars and sent one person to the hospital happened late Monday evening around 10:15 p.m.

Boger City and Lincolnton Fire Departments responded to the the accident along with other emergency crews.

Photo by Melany Dawn Crouse.

Amanda Knox spent her first night behind bars as a convicted murderer after an Italian court early on Saturday found her guilty in the brutal 2007 killing of her British housemate.

The 22-year-old was sent to prison for 26 years, while co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito, her new boyfriend at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 25 years for their roles in the sex murder of Meredith Kercher.

Knox's family immediately said she would appeal the verdict.