Loss prevention reported Stacey Nicole Carpenter, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, allegedly took items from the store without paying.

Hasty said Carpenter hit another vehicle when she fled the parking lot causing damage.

Spragins obtained warrants on Carpenter for larceny, possession of stolen goods and hit and run with property damage.

Hasty said Carpenter is encouraged to surrender and if anyone has any information on her whereabouts they are encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Officer Ryan Cross assisted.

The Holiday Open House has been a grassroots shopping event for numerous years, she said.

The open house will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Following the Holiday Open House, avenue businesses will participate in Small Business Saturday on November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Roanoke Rapids has been recognized as a Neighborhood Champion by American Express for two straight years.

The avenue, Caudle said, has numerous opportunities for holiday shopping. “Consignment shops are real popular,” she said. “We have a dozen or so consignment and antique shops, the pet store is open, we have the Quality Shop, Les Atkins photography, Shannon Golden Designs and many more. A lot of people like gift cards and there are a lot of service-related businesses.”

Studies show spending $100 at a local business keeps roughly $68 in the local economy while spending the same amount at a large store only keeps roughly $43 in the local economy.

Last year consumers spent an estimated $14.3 billion with small independent businesses, according to American Express.

Meanwhile, the Main Street tree-trimming contest will begin December 3 at Centennial Park in conjunction with the city's annual tree-lighting celebration, which begins at 6 p.m. Voting will continue through the Christmas parade on December 6.

The entry fee is $250 which includes the tree and signage, Caudle said. “Businesses decorate their trees with non-breakable items.”

The decorations can be reflective of the businesses or simply creative.

The $250 is tax-deductible.

Email Caudle for more information at director@roanokeavenue.com

His arrest came Thursday, Thomas said in a statement, as he was seen leaving his residence.

One gram of crack cocaine and 1 gram of powdered cocaine reportedly in Underdue's possession was seized at the time.

A subsequent search warrant was executed at his residence where an additional 4 grams of powdered cocaine was seized along with paraphernalia used to store, package and weigh controlled substances. Officers also seized $260 in cash and a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun.

Underdue was presented before a magistrate who found probable cause to charge him with two counts of felony possession of cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; two counts of felony maintaining a vehicle or place for the purpose of storing a controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and driving without being licensed.

Underdue received a secured bond of $46,000 and a first appearance Monday.

The Seaboard and Gaston police departments and the Halifax County Sheriff's Office assisted.

“This arrest was made possible through the investigation of our narcotics division and working closely with surrounding law enforcement agencies and I would like to thank those agencies for their assistance,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in the statement.

Arrested Dejuan Davis, 21, of Woodland.

His charges stem from a matter on Halloween night where he was involved in a fight in Arrowhead Mobile Home Park.

Davis allegedly was fighting and was told several times to stop by Deputies C. Exum and D. Porter. When Davis did not comply, he was arrested for simple affray and resisting arrest.

While in custody Davis kicked out the back window of a patrol car, an act for which he was charged with injury to county property.

He was assigned a November 17 court date.

“Any time a suspect damages county property they will be charged,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in the statement. “I encourage citizens to submit to arrest and if they disagree the case should be settled in court.”

November 3, 2015

Arrested Stacey Andrew Riggleman, 40, of Kinston.

His charges stem from a matter at the Super 8 motel in Garysburg.

Riggleman allegedly punched and choked a co-worker while staying at the hotel.

When deputies arrived on scene they spoke with the victim and observed minor injuries to the face. Riggleman was taken into custody without trouble. He was charged with a count of assault and battery.

He has a November 17 court date.

November 4, 2015

Arrested Jeremiah Mangum Jr., 26, of Rich Square.

Mangum's charges stem from a matter when deputies on routine patrol spotted a vehicle on Hillside Drive just outside Rich Square and stopped to check on it.

Deputies encountered a man inside asleep and during the investigation learned Mangum was wanted out of several counties.

Deputies also observed a handgun on the front passenger seat vehicle.

Mangum was taken into custody without trouble and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a stolen firearm.

Warrants were also served on him out of Pitt County for removing an electronic monitor, two counts of communicating threats out of Halifax County and one count of assault by pointing a gun out of Northampton County.

He was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center with a $31,000 secured bond and made his first appearance on Thursday, but has not yet been assigned an additional court date.

“I would like to commend Deputies J. Britt, M.Walton, and D. Sheppard in the manner they handled this potentially dangerous situation,” Smith said. “I would like to commend them for taking a stolen handgun out of the possession of a convicted felon as well as incarcerating him so that he may be held accountable for his charges in the other counties.”

At approximately 4 p.m., Officer Joey Spragins responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Jennifer Simmons Spence, 27, of Danville, Virginia, allegedly took items from the store without paying.

Spragins arrested and charged Spence with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

She received a $1,000 bond and December 8 court date.

Officer Ryan Cross assisted.

At approximately 8 p.m., Lieutenant Perry Parks responded to an intoxicated person call at Citi Trends on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.

Staff told reported Herman Blount, 53, of Roanoke Rapids, came in the store and got on the floor and passed out.

Parks arrested Blount for intoxicated and disruptive behavior and possessing an open container.

Blount received a $1,000 bond and a December 4 court date.

Master Officer Roy Ball assisted.

Tuesday November 3, 2015

At approximately 8 a.m., Master Officer Gerald Morris responded to a larceny call at Food Lion on Roanoke Avenue.

Staff reported Joshua Kyle Bradley, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, allegedly took items from the store without paying.

Morris arrested and charged Bradley with shoplifting-concealment of goods and possession of schedule IV after narcotics were found following a search.

Bradley received a $2,000 bond and December 18 court date.

At approximately 7:45 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to a call about a person lying in the roadway at Ninth and Henry streets.

Mason learned Ricky Lee Rook, 57, of Roanoke Rapids, struck two parked vehicles with his scooter and determined he was impaired.

Mason cited Rook for driving while impaired and driving while license revoked. He was released until his December 14 court date.

Rook was treated and released from the hospital for his injuries sustained in the collision with the parked vehicles.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., Master Officer Gorton Williams and Officer Dale Strickland were investigating a disturbance call at Jewel and Fifth streets.

Officers found a vehicle in the ditch in that area and during investigation Williams learned Kimberly Dawn Harrah, 38, of Roanoke Rapids, was driving the vehicle.

Williams determined Harrah was impaired and charged her with driving while impaired and possession of open container.

She was also found in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and was charged with possessing both.

Harrah was released to a responsible party until her March 14 court date.

Wendell Huff, of Henrico, was driving south on River Road when he struck Watson, who was transported by Northampton County EMS to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids. She was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Warren said alcohol use by Watson is suspected and no charges will be filed.

The paper quotes Bensalem police as saying Franklin thought law enforcement was coming for him and he opened fire.

Lanning surrendered and told law enforcement there were two men still in the room, Franklin, and James Miller, a 53-year-old hitchhiker the couple had picked up. Miller surrendered after a 2 1/2-hour standoff with police and the Bucks County South SWAT.

Franklin was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Roanoke Rapids police took out warrants against Franklin last week for the Rite Aid robbery, which occurred Tuesday night. Prescription medications were taken in the heist.

The Inquirer reported the drug store robbery spree in North and South Carolina netted Franklin 1,800 tablets of Opana and Fentanyl patches.

Officers found he had drugs inside his pants, including the heroin, 2 grams of marijuana, Hydrocodone and paraphernalia.

Hardy arrested and charged Edmonds with driving while license revoked; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule I; possession of schedule VI; possession of schedule IV; possession of drug paraphernalia; maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances; resist, delay and obstruct for refusing to show his hands; intimidating a witness for threatening officers; possession of revoked tags; fictitious tags; no insurance and an inspection violation.

He received a $20,000 bond and December 2 court date.

Lieutenant Perry Parks, Sergeant Daniel Jenkins, and Officer Greg Colson assisted.

Around 8 p.m., officers responded to Sixth and Charlotte streets about a motor vehicle collision with a power pole. The collision caused power to go out and delayed the Roanoke Rapids High School football game.

The vehicle, described as a silver Jeep, left the scene before officers arrived and was last seen heading west on Sixth Street.

Around 9 a.m., officers responded to the Sunbeam store on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway about a break-in and larceny.

The store was last secured on Thursday at closing time and the break-in was discovered the following morning when the store opened.

The suspects made entry and took items from the store.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Around 9:30 a.m., officers responded to a larceny in the 700 block of Virginia Street.

The victim stated a white male pulled up in a 1990s model car and took a leaf blower and gas can from the utility trailer.

The suspect was last seen going across Seventh Street down Virginia Street.

Sunday November 8, 2015

Around 7:45 p.m., officers responded to a bomb threat at Sheetz.

The store was evacuated and Sergeant Daniel Jenkins and his dog Pocock checked the business. Nothing was found and the business was reopened.

Around 8 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Prince Street about an armed robbery.

The victims told officers two people entered the residence armed with a gun and demanded money. The people are described as two young black males, one wearing a black hooded jacket or sweatshirt with a bandana covering their face and the other wearing a blue hooded jacket or sweatshirt with the hood pulled tight over the face. They left on foot heading towards Vine Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers 252-583-4444

Blotter entry: Saturday November 7, 2015

At approximately 10 a.m., Master Officer Roy Ball responded to a larceny call at Tractor Supply.

Store staff reported James Lee Ashe Jr., 46, of Roanoke Rapids, allegedly took items from the store without paying.

Ashe left on a vehicle which store staff recorded the tag numbers.

Lieutenant Perry Parks and Officer Greg Colson located the vehicle, Ashe and the merchandise at his residence.

Ball arrested and charged Ashe with larceny, possession of stolen goods and driving while license revoked.

Ashe received a $1,500 bond and December 4 court date.

Officers Scott Blythe and Jamie Hardy assisted.

Lynch, who was initially arrested in July by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Vance County Sheriff's Office, will have two other counts lodged against him dismissed, court records filed in Greenville show.

The original criminal complaint filed against Lynch shows he was charged federally with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in Vance County on July 1.

The investigating SBI agent wrote in the complaint around June 30 a confidential informant registered with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Investigations arranged an operation to sell 7 kilos of cocaine to an unknown person within the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Three kilos was sham cocaine and the remaining 4 was actual cocaine previously tested positive.

The informant arranged for undercover agents to meet the buyer in Henderson to conduct the transaction and wait at a Henderson truck stop on Flemingtown Road where the agents would meet a man at the described only as a large Native American with short hair driving a white tow truck.

On July 1 it was settled the undercover agents would turn over 7 kilos in exchange for $120,000 — $30,000 per kilo for 4 grams and three kilos fronted — to the man later identified as Lynch.

At approximately 3:10 p.m. the agents were met by Lynch, who advised them he was $20,000 short but had approximately $100,000 in a black shoe box.

The agent advised he could pay the remainder another time. At that time a signal was given and a take-down operation led to Lynch's arrest.

Meanwhile, a motion filed by Lynch's attorney, Keith Williams of Greenville, asks his client be released pending sentencing.

“The punishment range is ten years to life,” Williams wrote in the motion. “Randy is a 49-year old married father of two children who lived with his wife … prior to his arrest in the instant case. Randy worked sixty to seventy hours per week on a regular basis in the auto repair shop, salvage yard, and towing business that he built from scratch. He was President of Lynch’s Auto Sales, Salvage & Wrecker Service Incorporated …”

The motion notes Lynch has agreed to forfeit $381,550 to the United States Government. “The plea agreement gives Randy the opportunity to sell assets in order to raise the funds needed to pay the forfeiture debt. If the $381,550 is not paid in a timely fashion, the government will have the burden of foreclosing on Randy’s shop and salvage yard and selling them to satisfy the debt.”

Says the motion: “It is in the best interest of both Randy and the government for Randy to sell property at full, fair market value in order to pay the asset forfeiture debt. Randy’s wife … is willing to assist him but lacks the experience and knowledge to be able to sell the salvage yard and its scrap cars in a manner that is commercially reasonable.”

The exceptional reason for allowing him release pending sentencing is he needs to sell the salvage yard to pay what he owes to the government, the motion says. “It is exceptional, in the experience of the undersigned, for a drug defendant to have property available to satisfy an asset forfeiture obligation. It is even more exceptional for the main asset to be a unique item such as a salvage yard. Randy alone among his family and friends has the experience and knowledge to sell the salvage yard in an appropriate manner, and he needs to be out of jail to do so.”

The motion says Lynch will submit to any and all conditions of release deemed appropriate by the court, including but not limited to wearing an ankle bracelet, submitting to electronic monitoring, and limiting travel to the Eastern District of North Carolina. “Randy’s family and life are located in eastern North Carolina, and he has no contacts with persons overseas or any other reason to believe he would fail to appear for court.”

The business owner and employees noticed a hole punched in the metal building next to an air conditioning unit. Items were moved around.

The business owner also spotted the person on a dirt bike taken from the business but couldn't get close enough to stop him. The bike was ditched. A chain and sprocket was also reported missing.

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

Deputy S.A. Bryant initially responded to the alarm call and discovered the damage.

Further investigation by Griffin led to warrants for Christopher Wood, 20, of Littleton, who was charged today; Raquel Braswell, 17, of Roanoke Rapids, who was charged on November 6; and two juveniles. Griffin described Wood and Braswell as friends.

They were charged with breaking and entering; injury to real property and injury to personal property.

Wood received a $1,000 bond and Braswell was released to the custody of his parents.

Wood and Braswell have December 16 court appearances.

Nothing was taken following the breaking and entering, Griffin said.

“It will be a very simple, very educational day,” Lori Medlin, president of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau said today. “It's a day to honor freedom seekers.”

Saturday will mark the unveiling of two signs that further designate the area as part of the National Parks Service Network to Freedom.

(See related story by following this link. A PDF with the entire event calendar is attached at the end of this story)

Historic Halifax has already earned the designation. On Saturday the Roanoke River and Roanoke Canal Trail will be recognized as part of the network.

The project began in 2013 when the HCCVB set out to explore historic interpretations of the Underground Railroad in the county, Medlin said in a statement.

The HCCVB hired David Zonderman of North Carolina State University to consult and create an interpretive plan for the county. “We've been working on this for three years and did a lot of research,” Medlin said. “We feel very good about our research and accomplishments.”

The day begins

The first part of the program begins at 9 a.m. at the Roanoke Canal Museum with the first sign dedication.

The program includes:

A hymn by Jackie Pittman

A reading with a moment of silence by Napoleon Hill

A greeting by Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie.

Remarks by Zonderman.

Sign dedication with Randall Spence, cultural resources leader and museum director for the city.

A reading by Sandra Bryant.

9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.

Walking on the Roanoke Canal Trail with interpretation for trail walkers.

A shuttle service between the Roanoke Canal Museum; River Road parking; Aqueduct parking and River Falls Park will be provided as needed.

The Roanoke-Salem Ensemble will perform at the Aqueduct when the walking group arrives.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A sign dedication at River Falls Park in Weldon.

Weldon Town Commissioner Kimberley Robinson will present a reading.

Weldon Mayor Julia Meacham will present a welcome to Weldon.

Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant will welcome elected officials, offer a summary of the project and present the sign unveiling.

Michele Lanier will present a reading and commentary.

Congressman G.K. Butterfield will make remarks.

Bishop Dready Manning will present a musical performance.

1:30 p.m. until

There will be food music performances, art and historic interpretation.

For more information visit www.visithalifax.com or call 800-522-4282.

The Roanoke Canal

The Roanoke Canal, Roanoke River, and Historic Halifax were all part of the Underground Railroad’s complex transportation network.

(See related story)

Freedom Seekers would use the flowing rapids and steep banks of the Roanoke River to elude their pursuers.

The Roanoke Navigation Canal’s location near the river and Halifax also made it an integral part of the escape routes.

Slaves sometimes even escaped from the canal building camps headed towards freedom.

When Freedom Seekers reached the town of Halifax, the large community of free blacks often concealed those seeking freedom or helped them on their way further north.

Weldon Riverfront

Weldon has a rich history including the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, a Confederate cemetery, and the Roanoke Canal Trail.

The city's historic riverfront, on the Roanoke River, is thought to be the site where many Freedom Seekers looked for transport toward the Great Dismal Swamp or the Albemarle Sound.

Historic Halifax

The town of Halifax and, more importantly, the nearby Roanoke River played a vital role in the maritime Underground Railroad in North Carolina.

Taverns, print shops, and docks served as major sources of information crucial to the success or failure of a Freedom Seeker’s journey.

Free blacks and sympathetic whites also provided the latest news, acted as a means of communication for secret activities, and helped conceal the identities and hiding places of Freedom Seekers.

For example, a community of anti-slavery Quakers lived across the Roanoke River from Halifax.

An 1830 newspaper article reported that they helped more than 600 persons of color from North Carolina leave the state.

The river also played a major role in communications between free and enslaved African American communities, as black boatmen plied the waters spreading information to people along its banks.

The river also provided protection from “pattyrollers” or slave patrols and helped speed the Freedom Seeker’s escape to urban areas, swamps, the sounds, open seas, and, eventually, points northward.

DeLoatch said a break in the case came when Britt attempted to pawn one of three weapons stolen. The weapon he tried to pawn in Greenville Friday was stolen Thursday, the captain said.

He was jailed on $38,500 secured bond and had a first court appearance today. Court records do immediately show his next scheduled court appearance.

Meanwhile, DeLoatch said Kwame Harris, 26, of Woodland, was charged with one count of felony breaking and entering; one count of felony possession of stolen goods and one count of felony larceny.

He was jailed on $30,500 secured bond. He also had his first court appearance today but no further information was immediately available on his next court date.

Warrants have also been filed in the case for the arrest of Derryel Bell of Woodland, who frequents areas in Hertford County.

He is wanted for two counts of felony larceny; two counts of possession of stolen good and two counts of felony breaking and entering.

DeLoatch said two shotguns and one rifle were taken in the break-ins. He said the trio could possibly be tied to other break-ins in that area of Northampton County.

In a statement, Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said, “I would like to thank Detective Sergeant J. Jenkins, Deputy J. Britt and other members of the sheriff's office for their diligent effort in solving these cases.”

Smith also said the Murfreesboro Police Department, Chowan University Police as well as the police departments of Conway, Ahoskie and Garysburg assisted. Northampton County EMS stations 7 and 4 also assisted, he said.

The charges stem from a matter which occurred in September. Brown was charged Tuesday with statutory rape, indecent liberties with a child and soliciting by computer.

He was jailed on $65,000 secured bond. He had a first court appearance today, but no information was immediately available on his next court appearance.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate any complaints of any crime allegedly committed against any child,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in a statement. “Those found to be in violation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All of our citizens are encouraged to be aware of those who prey on our children and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”

Price is awaiting court dates in December on controlled substances counts.

Detention Officer B. Council discovered the marijuana during an October 21 sweep of the jail and investigation by Griffin determined the pair conspired to bring marijuana into the building.

Parker faces charges of possession of a controlled substance on jail premises; possession with intent to deliver marijuana and conspiracy to deliver marijuana. Price was charged with conspiracy to deliver marijuana.

They each received $2,500 bonds and December 16 court dates.

Money, cell phones and jewelry was taken. The men left on a black car headed toward Littleton.

Wiltsie said one of the men was short and slim and wore a gray hooded jacket or sweatshirt. Two of the other four who came in the business stood around 6-feet tall and another stood around 5-feet, 7-inches tall. It is possible the short man had dreadlocks.

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

He said the complaints received on Carter recently are in reference to heroin sales.

Harris said investigation into the 34-year-old Carter, who lives on Marshall Street, was conducted over the last month. “We've been hearing his name for some time.”

In a statement, Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said the raid this morning was based on citizen complaints and surveillance by the task force, which obtained warrants based on grievances Carter was allegedly selling heroin and other illegal drugs.

The raid took place shortly before 7:15 a.m. and was carried out by the task force, Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and the police department's patrol division.

Agents located marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia which included white bindle wrappers and small red plastic baggies, which Harris said are used in packaging heroin.

Harris arrested and charged Carter for possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

Carter received a $2,000 secured bond and January 27 court date.

He was also served with an outstanding warrant in Halifax County for missing his court date on a driving while license revoked charge and one in Northampton County where he missed court for assault on a female. He received an additional $5,000 bond for those charges and was confined to the Halifax County Detention Center.