June 30

At approximately 7 a.m., Investigator Frankie Griffin arrested and charged Felipe Rodriquez Del Valle, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, for obtaining property by false pretense.

The charges stem from a report taken on June 3 about Valle completing jobs for the company he worked for but not turning the money over.

Valle was given a $5,000 bond and a July 19 court date.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., Master Officer Mark Peck received information on the whereabouts of a wanted person.

Peck went to the area of Jesslyns Drive to attempt to locate Benny James Benjamin Jr., 21, of Garysburg, and found him inside a vehicle.

Peck arrested Benjamin and served two outstanding orders for arrest.

Benjamin was an absconder from probation and parole.

Benjamin was given a $5,250 bond and a July 22 court date.

July 1

At approximately 10:41 a.m., the Roanoke Rapids Police Department Criminal Investigative Division along with the City County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence on Ironwood Drive.

Investigator J.K. Davis applied for and was granted a search warrant for Rynel Tyreek Gaines’ residence. During the search officers found stolen property and narcotics.

Gaines was arrested and charged with possessing stolen property, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gaines was given an $80,000 bond and a July 22 court date.

Lieutenant Charles Vaught, Investigator B.L. Martin and Task Force Agent Cory Dixon assisted in this investigation.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to a call about fraud involving a debit card.

The victim told Mason someone used a debit card at several locations in the city.

During the investigation Mason learned the possible subject was at a residence on Madison Street. James Fredrick Rauhe, 57, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, two counts of attempted obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft, and possession of stolen goods.

Rauhe was given an $8,000 bond and an August 19 court date.

Lieutenant Perry Parks assisted.

At approximately 11:45 p.m., Officer Chris Biggerstaff responded to an assault call on Taylor Street.

Biggerstaff learned the victim was struck in the head with a liquor bottle and had injuries to the face. Biggerstaff arrested and charged Avis Rochon Johnson, 45, of Roanoke Rapids, for assault.

Johnson was given a $500 bond and a July 24 court date.

Lieutenant Bruce Norton and Officer Jonathan Benthall assisted.

The victim was treated by EMS at the scene.

July 2

At approximately 5:15 p.m., Master Officer Roy Ball responded to an assault call involving a gun at Domino’s on East Tenth Street.

While on his way, Ball spotted the person near Hardee’s.

The driver, Dlaja Irene Lee, 23, of Roanoke Rapids, was detained at the scene for investigative reasons. During a search of Lee’s vehicle, a handgun along with approximately 80 bindles of heroin was located inside.

Ball arrested and charged Lee with trafficking schedule I, possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule I, and maintaining a vehicle to store a control substance.

Lee was given a $100,000 bond and August 8 court date.

Officers Jamie Hardy and Mason assisted.

The assault remains under investigation.

At approximately 7 p.m. during patrol of the downtown Roanoke Rapids area, City County Drug Task Force Agent D. McKeel attempted to stop a vehicle for a motor vehicle violation in the 400 block of Madison Street.

The vehicle would not stop for blue lights and siren.

The vehicle accelerated and began passing vehicles in the center lane.

The vehicle finally stopped on Cedar Street near West Fifth Street.

The driver, identified as Donald Yellorday, 39, of Cedar Street, and a female passenger were detained. Central communications advised Yellorday had two outstanding orders for arrest in Halifax County.

The female, who at first gave agents a wrong name, later identified herself asTanequa Alston, 20, of Melody Lane.

Alston had an outstanding order for arrest and she and Yellorday were arrested.

Yellorday was served with the two orders for arrests and was also charged with reckless driving to endanger, unsafe passing at a railroad crossing, unsafe movement, fail to heed blue light or siren, felony flee to elude arrest, failure to stop for a stop sign, and failure to wear a seat belt.

Yellorday was given a total bond of $20,000 with a July 6 court date for the orders for arrests and August 26 for the driving charges.

Alston was served with the order for arrest and was also charged with resisting a public officer.

Alston was given a total bond of $3,400 with a July 15 court date for the order for arrest and an August 26 court date for the resisting charge.

At approximately 9 p.m., Benthall responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Shanike Denise Fenner, 24, of Weldon, allegedly took items from the store without paying for them.

Benthall arrested and charged Fenner with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Fenner was given a $500 bond and a July 14 court date.

Captain M.D. DeLoatch Sr. of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office said the shooting of a victim driving on Highway 35 does not appear to be linked to the murder of Shuntavius Vaughan.

The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. at Highway 35 and Deberry Mill Road, Deloatch said, where the victim was driving when another car drove up beside him and shot into the drivers side window.

The victim was hit and is hospitalized.

The sheriff's office is looking for Roger Lamont Spencer, who is from the Conway area.

He is described as a brown-skinned black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks. He stands between 5-feet, 7-inches, to 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds.

Warrants have been obtained for his arrest on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

While the sheriff's office is attempting to obtain more information, there is nothing right now pointing to a link between Thursday's shooting or Vaughan's murder.

The sheriff's office, which has been assisting the Conway Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, can't tie the Vaughan murder to gang or drug activity at this point, DeLoatch said. “We won't know until we find out more. At this point we don't know if they had a beef.”

DeLoatch said Sheriff Jack Smith, “Wants to make note that shooting into vehicles could involve children or infants who can be struck. He also wants people to settle their differences by non-violent means.”

Thursday's shooting comes a day after the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald of Ahoskie reported shots were fired early Wednesday morning into a residence at 402 West Main Street.

Conway Police Chief Billy Duke told the newspaper he was concerned this shooting may be connected to the murder of the 24-year-old Vaughan.

“This residence was occupied by four individuals; fortunately no one was hurt,” said Duke. “We are asking the public for help. If anyone saw or heard anything late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, we’re asking you to please give us a call.”

Duke said the shooting was reported at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“The investigation has led us to believe that the shots were fired from a vehicle traveling on Garris Street at its intersection with Main Street,” Duke noted. “However, no one in the residence saw or heard a vehicle at that particular time. Perhaps someone else in our town saw or heard something. If so, please give us a call.”

Three bullet holes were discovered on the east, outside wall of the residence.

Currently, the News-Herald reported, all four of the suspects in the Vaughan murder are in custody.

The fourth and final suspect was captured in Murfreesboro early Tuesday evening.

Rumeal Daye, 24, of Conway was found hiding in the attic of a residence at 301 Boyette Street in Murfreesboro shortly after 8 p.m. Based on information given to Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe and Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan, the residence was quickly surrounded by law enforcement officers from those two agencies.

The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald also learned the other wanted fugitive in the Conway murder – Akeem Robinson, 24 – was captured late Tuesday afternoon in Roanoke Rapids.

Vaughan of Conway was shot and killed at 305 Fields Drive at the Conway Village Apartments last Friday morning.

One of the original four suspects, 25-year-old Chenail Jordan Jr., was arrested on Friday; while another, Brandon Joyner, 24, of Conway, turned himself in around 12:30 p.m. Saturday. They, along with the recently arrested Daye and Robinson, are currently being held in the Northampton County Jail without the opportunity of bond.

All four men stand charged with first degree murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and possession of firearm by a felon.

Anyone with information on the latest shooting cases is encouraged to contact the Conway Police Department at either 252-585-1155 or 252-585-0488 or call Northampton County Central Dispatch at 252-574-1041.

“Due to the recent criminal activity and the escalation of that activity, this has given rise to a state of emergency within the jurisdiction of the town of Conway,” Mayor Brian Bolton wrote in the proclamation.

The declaration is to last from 6 this evening until 6 p.m. Monday.

While the town is not imposing a curfew, it is requesting, beginning this evening, citizens be off the streets from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The suggested curfew is effective through Monday.

“This proclamation will prohibit the possession of consumption of any alcoholic beverage, including beer, wine and spiritous liquor (other) than on one's own premises and will prohibit the transfer, transportation, sale or purchases of any alcoholic beverage within the area of the town described in the proclamation,” the document reads. “The prohibition will apply to transfers of alcoholic beverages by employees of Alcoholic Beverages Control stores as well as by anyone else within the geographical area described.”

In the proclamation Bolton writes, “In order to preserve the public health, safety and welfare of Conway citizens, I hereby request limited to no appearances in public of anyone except law enforcement, emergency services personnel and elected municipal officials between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015 through Monday, July 6, 2015.”

Said the mayor this afternoon, “It's a tough decision. We're basically punishing businesses and putting a little bit of an imposition on our citizens.”

With three shootings over the span of a week, the mayor said, “I've never seen this kind of crime spree. It's all pointed to drug and gang activity. I believe it started over Memorial Day and escalated to the point we had to do something.”

Police Chief Chuck Hasty said motive is not immediately clear as is whether the shooting was related to any other acts of violence reported across the area in the last few weeks.

The shooting was reported around 4 a.m. Sergeant Mike Moseley, Master Officer Gorton Williams and Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to Oak Ridge Drive to discover a vehicle and an apartment on Meacham Drive were shot into. No one was injured.

As officers processed the crime scene and interviewed witnesses, a resident followed the suspect vehicle and maintained communication with dispatchers on its movement.

Gaston police and the Northampton County Sheriff's Office stopped the vehicle in Gaston.

The occupants — Daquan Olajawon Marshall, Mazi Khiron Harrison and Judarrell Cortayvi Marshall — were arrested and charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle; discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling and alter, remove, destroy deface a firearm or gun serial number.

Judarrell Marshall, 22, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was jailed on $15,000 bond; Harrison, 24, of Enfield, was given a $5,000 bond and Daquan Marshall, 18, of Scotland Neck, was given a $5,000 bond.

They all have July 22 court dates.

Hasty said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending completion of the probe.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett, Investigator J.K. Davis and Officer Greg Colson assisted with the investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Davis at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

“I would like to thank the citizens that played a role in getting these individuals caught and taking a part in trying to keep our community safe,” Hasty said in a statement. “I would also like to thank Gaston Police Department’s Thomas Staton and Northampton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Matthew Walton for getting the suspect vehicle stopped.”

Trooper R.P. Dennis of the state Highway Patrol said Carlton Lee Burgess, 57, was driving on Highway 4 about two miles south of Littleton shortly after 6:30 p.m. when he went left of the center line and struck a ditch.  The vehicle's passenger's side then struck a tree.

Burgess had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was initially taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center and then to Vidant in Greenville where he died early Saturday morning.

Dennis said alcohol use is suspected.

Police Chief Chuck Hasty said investigators are still trying to determine a motive in the stabbing, which occurred around 1:45 inside Bobby's Supermarket.

When Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to a call of a fight inside the store, he discovered the parties were gone.

After speaking with the employee who reported the matter and reviewing surveillance video, he discovered the victim was approached by two men and assaulted. One person stabbed the victim in the stomach and back with a knife and the fight continued toward the back of the store.

As Mason continued his investigation at the store, a call came in a victim, who was later determined to be the person stabbed, was at the emergency room at Halifax Regional Medical Center and was being treated for a gunshot wound.

Master Officer Gorton Williams assisted Mason with the investigation at the hospital and it was determined after the victim left the store to seek medical attention for the stab wounds, he was shot by an unknown person or persons.

The victim was treated and released.

The person who assaulted the victim in the store was described as a black male wearing a red shirt and the other was described as a black male who was not wearing a shirt. They were last seen getting into a gold car and traveling north on Roanoke Avenue.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator Chris Babb at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Chairman Jay Carlilse said following the meeting his assurance to the board also meant the school system would build a school in that price range that would accommodate all students.

The issue came up today during the board of commissioners meeting after the school system two weeks ago issued a statement $19.2 million would not be enough to build the new school.

Commissioner Rives Manning brought the issue up during a portion of the meeting designated for other business.

Manning hinged his discussion on a memo from Hite associates, an architectural and planning company in Greenville which had submitted bids for the Manning school project which weren't chosen by the school board.

In the introductory email, James Hite, says of the original estimation of $26 million by Smith Sinnett of Raleigh, “No way is $26,000,000 justified unless the school is much larger than 700 students.”

In the lead-in email, Hite explains, based on his company's bid for a new North Johnston Middle School, the cost was $162 per square feet. “NJMS was bid in May one year ago and is finishing up now. We had a difficult site that factored into the cost, but of course the Manning site is difficult as well. If costs have risen (they have) by 10 percent since last year, the estimate would be $162 (times) 85,820 square feet (equals) $15,293,124 plus fees of 6 percent. If they have risen by 15 percent, it would be $15,988,266.”

Manning said Hite was the architect of the Chaloner Middle School addition and the work was flawless. “Hite sent in a bid and he was basically surprised that he wasn't called.”

The differences between the Smith Sinnett proposal and what Hite proposed, Manning said, “That's a big difference. That's roughly $4 million of Halifax County taxpayer money. I'm really concerned.”

Manning questioned County Attorney Glynn Rollins on whether the county could rescind a vote allocating $1.2 million for seed money for the Manning school project.

“That presents a major issue if you have something else in mind,” Rollins said, especially since the school system and Smith Sinnett have already entered into a contract.

Commissioner Patrick Qualls said he was in favor of the $1.2 million allocated. “What I'm not in favor of is the back and forth. I don't want to build a 550 (student) school and have mobile units.”

Carlilse told commissioners there were a couple of issues that came up with Hite's proposal, which he declined to discuss in detail. Nevertheless, he said, the school system was going to work within the $19 million criteria and try to come in under $19 million.

“The board is committed to a new Manning school,” board of commissioners Chair Vernon Bryant said. “We want it to stay at $19.2 million. I would hate to see a $19.2 million school and have mobile units out there.”

Said Manning: “We're not looking for any supplements or add-ons at the last minute,” to which Bryant responded, “We don't want to hear that. It has to stay in that range.”

The Reverend C.E. McCollum of the Roanoke Valley chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference reiterated his request for the board to pursue a local bill sharing a portion of the sales and use tax with the county school system.

“According to various comments that were made in response to this request, I may not have made myself clear as to what I requested of this board,” McCollum said. “I know what I'm asking for, so I don't have to be careful for what I ask. I am a voice for the underserved. I speak for the neglected and impoverished children enrolled in a failed and struggling school system who have been denied the constitutional and fundamental right to a quality education.”

McCollum appealed to the moral righteousness of the board, saying, “You have the power to make a difference in the academic success of all children, not just some, but all. So I ask you to exercise your authority to include the children of Halifax County Schools District by providing that they have a share in the Halifax County local sales tax proceeds.”

In a memo to the board, however, County Attorney Glynn Rollins explained the complex machinations required to make McCollum's request reality.

First, he wrote, general statutes give the board the authority to decide tax distribution through the ad valorem method or the per capita method.

“To my knowledge, Halifax County has always used the ad valorem method of sales tax distribution,” Rollins wrote.

The ad valorem method involves sales taxes being divided between the county and municipalities on a pro-rata basis based upon the the total property tax levy of each governmental unit. Because of special taxing districts, however, it must be further divided and distributed. “For Halifax County, this means that the county must give a portion of its local sales taxes to each of the fire districts, the Our Community Hospital District and the Weldon school district.”

Legislation in 1973 requires the city of Roanoke Rapids “to act as if it did and share sales taxes with RRGSD as if it did actually make the levy. Of course, we all know that the RRGSD is one of only two or three school districts in the state that have legal authority to levy their own ad valorem taxes.”

This means, Rollins wrote, the county school system does not share in any portion of the sales taxes coming into the county since the county does not levy property taxes for the school system.

Levying property taxes for the school system, Rollins explained, would mean the portion left over for Halifax County will be reduced by the amount the county would have to pay the school system. “In my opinion, the payment of this additional amount of money from Halifax County coffers would be in violation of (general statute) 115C-430, which requires that apportionment of county funds among multiple school districts in the county must be equal on an (average daily membership) basis.”

Rollins further explained proposed local legislation would be in direct conflict with a state Court of Appeals ruling in Buncombe County. “In any event, because the county cannot get a larger share of sales tax under the ad valorem method, it is the county that would bear a cut in net sales tax receipts in order to pay over a portion of sales taxes to HCPS.”

The only way to equalize the overall amount of revenue received by each of the three school systems, Rollins explained, would be for the board of commissioners to adopt the per capita method of distribution in April. “This means that current windfall recipients under the ad valorem method — the non-municipal tax districts — would no longer receive any sales tax revenues. The sales tax revenues would only go to the county and the municipalities.”

Wrote Rollins: “Of course, that change in the method of distribution would give rise to the questions of how or whether to make the loss of sales tax revenues to various entities supported by taxing districts during previous years.”

Captain M.D. DeLoatch Sr. said Christopher Pierre Smith, 39, had apparently been laying low in the Rich Square area since the shooting, but was caught at a fast food restaurant in the town when he was spotted by Lieutenant C. Williams.

DeLoatch said Smith was advised by his attorney to not make a statement.

Smith faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, counts that reflect the two men who were shot outside his residence on Bryantown Road.

He also faces a count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for shooting at the victim later located in the woods as well as a count of shooting into an occupied or moving vehicle.

Law enforcement was called to the scene around 1:45 and learned a vehicle came into Smith's yard. Smith came out of his house and fired between 10 to 12 times into car, striking one man twice and another once.

He has a July 13 court date.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to apprehending and bring to justice those who attempt to elude arrest and not appear before the court to answer the charges brought against them,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in a statement. “I would like to commend Lieutenant Courtney Williams for his keen observation on this occasion.”

Brittany Nicole Goode was charged on June 24 with misdemeanor child abuse after she went into the magistrate's office in Jackson to take out a warrant, according to Captain M.D. Deloatch Sr. of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office.

A witness who stopped by the sheriff's office reported the matter. The child was left in the vehicle for about an hour after lunch time, DeLoatch said.

The child was OK and put in the care of a family member.

Goode was initially jailed on $1,000 secured bond.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office wants to caution citizens to please be mindful that children should not be left in a vehicle alone under any conditions, especially when it is hot,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in a statement. “It only takes a few minutes for a situation like this to turn into a tragic situation.”

July 3

At approximately 9 a.m., Master Officer Gerald Morris responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Morris Holly Alicia Suggs, 35, of Roanoke Rapids, took items from the store without paying.

During a search Morris found several different pills inside a cigarette box.

Morris arrested and charged Suggs with three counts of possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

Suggs was given a $5,000 bond and an August 8 court date.

The substances were methadone, hydrochloride pills, acetaminophen with codeine pills and acetaminophen Hydrocodone bitartrate pills.

Walmart declined to pursue the larceny charge.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Morris responded to a disturbance call at Wendy's.

After speaking with management and getting a description, Officer Ryan Cross located Herman Blount Jr., 53, of Roanoke Rapids, in the parking lot of Sheetz.

Blount was warned about begging for money at local businesses and told to leave the property.

Blount started to walk away but then stopped and started asking other customers for items.

Morris arrested and charged Blount with trespassing and intoxicated and disruptive behavior.

He was given a $1,000 bond and an August 28 court date.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Master Officer Gorton Williams responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Williams Makita Renee Gary, 30, and Bruce Lee Short, 37, of Weldon, took items from the store without paying.

Williams arrested and charged both with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Gary was given a $500 bond and Short was given a $1,000 bond. Both have July 31 court dates.

Checking Station

On Friday evening, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department along with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and Weldon Police Department conducted a checking station and saturated patrol.

During this event there was a total of 29 charges ranging from driving while license revoked and failing to comply with license restriction, as well as carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, child seat violations and one vehicle cited for the use of blue lights.

July 4

At approximately 5:45 p.m., Morris responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Morris Natashia Nicole Harris, 36, of Jackson, took items from the store without paying.

Morris cited Harris for larceny and possession of stolen goods.

She was released until her August 28 court date.

July 5

At approximately 6 p.m., Cross responded to a disturbance call at Hux's Billiards.

Earl Wayne Boulden, 69, of Gaston, allegedly made threats to shoot another customer.

During a search Cross discovered he had a concealed gun in his pocket.

Cross arrested and charged Boulden with possessing a concealed gun after consuming, communicating threats and drunk and disruptive behavior.

Boulden was given a $2,000 bond and an August 28 court date.

Sergeant Richie White and Officer Joey Spragins assisted.

At approximately 10 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to a call of a person in the roadway near Clinton Street.

Mason found Christopher Wayne Love, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, in the road interfering with the flow of traffic.

Mason warned Love about being in the roadway and left the area. About 15 minutes later the traffic was backed up in the same area and Mason found Love in the roadway again.

Mason arrested and charged Love with impeding traffic by sitting/standing/laying in the roadway.

Love was given a $1,000 bond and an August 8 court date.

At approximately 1 a.m., Lieutenant Jeff Baggett responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of Oak Street.

Baggett saw individuals matching the description given out by dispatchers and turned around to speak with the them.

They walked away and when he asked them to stop, Baggett caught up with them behind a trailer. After speaking with the them, Baggett arrested and charged Julius Dominic Sledge, 31, of Roanoke Rapids, for resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.

Sledge, who gave false information, was given a $500 bond and an August 8 court date.

Williams, Investigator Chris Babb and Mason assisted.

Delorean Taylor, 32, was originally scheduled for trial this week but instead took a plea for second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He was originally charged with murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Kevin Taylor, who was an innocent bystander at a party in the Medoc community in June of 2011.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office reported then as the deputies arrived to a disturbance call, shots were heard and the crowd dispersed. As they took Taylor into custody, they discovered Davis, of Littleton, lying in the yard with a gunshot wound to the back.

Taylor apparently got into an argument with someone else when the shots were fired. Davis was not a part of the argument.

The event will again be a collaborative effort between the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon police departments. The Scotland Neck and Littleton police departments will also be joining.

(The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

In addition, there will be a twist this year as the HCC basic law enforcement training program and the college's admissions department joins in, said Deputy Chief Andy Jackson of Roanoke Rapids.

“I think BLET helps the community as a whole by offering education and the opportunity to obtain work,” Jackson said in a briefing announcing the event today.

In fact, said Greg Parker, the college's law enforcement coordinator and BLET director, there are currently 300 law enforcement openings across the state.

Jackson said having the event at The Centre takes away the heat element as well as the need to find an alternate place in the event of rain.

The band this year will be the Fantastic Shakers. Their appearance, Jackson said, is a reunion of sorts, as the band played the first big National Night Out event in Roanoke Rapids 10 years ago.

The band is a favorite of the beach music scene and has earned multiple awards for their performances.

The event is for the entire community, said Deputy Chief James Avens of the Weldon Police Department. “It's about coming together to make a difference. With all the things you see on the news, this will be something fun and positive.”

The evening, as usual, will bring community resources under one roof, Avens said.

“All communities have similar issues,” Parker said. “Criminals don't respect jurisdictional lines.”

Sheriff Wes Tripp said the evening shows how law enforcement is partnering to fight crime. “We stand shoulder to shoulder. We can't do it all by ourselves.”

Tripp said he was pleased BLET is participating this year. “They're our future law enforcement officers.”

The event, said Tripp, “Let's the community see we have a heart and puts a friendly face behind the badge.”

Jackson said the event will not only feature the band, but food and children's entertainment.

Since the admissions office is also a sponsor this year, there will information for those wishing to enroll at the college, said Bernard Washington, director of admissions and recruitment. “We will talk to them about the admissions process, vo-tech and college transfers and encourage them to apply for financial aid.”

"The achievement represents many, many hours of in-service training and education beyond high," said Sheriff Wes Tripp. "It shows his dedication to his profession and it speaks volumes for his determination to continue his education." 

Scott has been employed with the sheriff's office since 2003, beginning as a detention officer and then becoming a deputy sheriff and detective.

He currently serves as a lieutenant in the civil division.

He was awarded an intermediate professional certificate in December of 2013.

Scott recently graduated in May from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice at East Carolina University.

According to a statement from the creative label for the contemporary Christian artists, Kinleigh is currently working on her debut project, with her first single set to be released at the end of the month.

Kinleigh was born in Fayetteville and raised in Raeford. She has lived in Roanoke Rapids for the past 11 years.

“My hope is that, through my music, I can deliver an honest message to my generation that is both relevant and transparent,” she said. “I have a heart for people who are searching for truth – both believers and non-believers – and my desire is to share how a daily relationship with Christ can be life-giving.”

Kinleigh, who has been involved with music ministry since she was young, currently leads worship each week at Valley Community Church in Weldon.

Her music career has included singing the National Anthem at minor league baseball games, co-directing and acting in local theatrical productions and singing as a soloist for weddings and other events.

Her Facebook page can be found by following this link.

Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said it appears Calvin Leon Williams, 28, of Weldon, and Thaddeus Lamont Williams, 27, of Greenville, are outright ducking law enforcement. “They know we have active warrants on them.”

Both men are wanted for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, sell marijuana and deliver marijuana.

Calvin Williams is from the Holly Court area of Weldon and Thaddeus Williams frequents the Scotland Neck area.

Task Force Lieutenant H.G. Phillips and Agent D.R. Radford are the investigating agents in these cases.

If citizens have any information to provide with locating these individuals they are encouraged to call Halifax County Central Communications at 252-583-1991 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Agent D.R. Radford would only confirm Herman Johnson, 49, was apprehended by Agent C. Dixon in the Littleton area shortly before 2 p.m.

Johnson was a suspect in the street-level dealer campaign and was being investigated by Radford, who charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, and deliver cocaine. Johnson was given a $5,000 bond with an August 26 court date.

Littleton Police Chief W. Bowens assisted in the identification of Johnson.

That figure doesn't count the ones not reported. “We know some have been stolen but haven't been officially reported.”

The police department believes juveniles are doing a majority of the thefts. “They're changing tires, discarding frames, changing rims and using spray paint to mask and ride around.”

(The National Bike Registry may be found by following this link)

Jackson says parents should get involved. “We know there's parents seeing their kids ride home on bikes that are not theirs. They need to call us.”

On its Facebook page today, Jackson posted, “Bike theft in Roanoke Rapids is out of control. We are asking that if you see anyone suspicious walking through yards or you see someone taking a bike call 911 immediately. Let's work together to stop an epidemic.”

The police department recommends taking bikes inside and reminds residents the curfew for anyone under 18 is in effect from midnight to 5 a.m.

The police department also recommends locking your bike, even in the garage or an apartment stairwell.

Bikes should be locked to a fixed, immovable object like a parking meter or permanent bike rack.

Be careful not to lock to items that can be easily cut, broken or removed. Be careful that your bike cannot be lifted over the top of the object to which it is locked.

It is recommended to lock bikes in a visible and well-lit area and where there are other bikes. “The chances are better that there will be a bike with a less secure lock than yours. Thieves will usually go for the easiest target.”

When using a U-lock, position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much of the open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock up, the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack your lock.

Always position a U-lock so that the key-way is facing down towards the ground. Don’t position the lock close to the ground. This makes it easier for a thief to attack it.

Always secure your components and accessories, especially quick-release components, with a secondary cable lock.

Don’t lock your bike to itself. Lock it to something. Otherwise, it can be easily lifted and carried away.

“Don’t lock in the same location all the time. A thief may notice the pattern and target your bike.”

Always check your lock before leaving your bike to be sure you have secured it properly.

“For the greatest theft deterrence, use two locks such as a U-lock and a locking cable. The longer it takes a thief to get through your bike security, the less likely your bike will be stolen,” Jackson posted.

Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said it was not clear whether media accounts prompted Thaddeus Lamont Williams to go to the Halifax County Sheriff's Office around 6 p.m.

The 27-year-old Greenville man surrendered to Deputy A. Smith.

He was jailed on $5,000 secured bond for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, sell marijuana and deliver marijuana.

He has an August 26 court date.

Calvin Leon Williams of Weldon is still being sought.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this evening the sheriff's obtained warrants after receiving information Tony Russell Hill Jr. of Enfield was possibly on base at Fort Bragg where he has family.

Military police seized evidence and turned it over to the sheriff's office, Tripp said. Hill was returned to Halifax County and placed in jail without the opportunity for bond on a charge of murder. He has a July 22 court date.

“It was great assistance,” the sheriff said of working with military police. “We were very pleased with the relationship we had.”

Hill, 19, marks the third person in custody in the case, which Tripp said last week appears to be gang-related, although the victim in the case did not have gang ties.

Investigators with the sheriff's office continue to look for Dexter Devon Taylor Jr. Tripp said detectives are getting information on several locations where he might be, but declined to elaborate.

Warrants have been obtained for Taylor's arrest.

Tripp said there are still more arrests to be made in the case, although he declined to say how many.

“Detectives continue to work diligently in arresting those responsible for this murder, and there will be more individuals arrested,” he said in a statement. “We will travel as far as necessary to effect arrests. I encourage the citizens of Enfield to continue to provide information.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff's office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.