In a press release handed out following a special meeting, the city said, “After further discussions with the representative for (Thomas and Evon McClean) … the city administration has reached an agreement to finalize the purchase contract and set an anticipated closing date of July 23. There are no changes to the original purchase offer of $3 million for the property. The city administration will apply the purchasers’ entire initial deposit of $150,000 toward the purchase price.”

City council approved the sale and financing conditions on a 4-1 vote with Councilman Carl Ferebee casting the dissenting vote.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said in the press release, “We are satisfied with the financial arrangements the purchasers have made for the property acquisition and both parties are ready to move forward and execute the contract.”

Scherer said in the statement the McCleans have begun to coordinate with their contracted vendors for their venue business plan. “The city administration is prepared to transfer the property to the purchasers and provide them with facility transition assistance such as sound and lighting systems, communications, security and internet systems as well as physical plant operations. It is the city’s intention to make the transition as seamless as possible and help position the purchasers for success in their efforts.”

Following the meeting Scherer said the building and sound system remain in good condition. “Everything is still good. Everything still operates.”

Scherer said with the closing now anticipated, “I think we’re starting to see our ultimate goal of getting the theater in private hands to use for commercial development.”

City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said the only aspect of the deal to change is that the McCleans will pay the city $300,000 upon closing and instead of paying the remainder off over three years will pay the city $20,000 per month over the course of a year with a balloon payment at the end.

A press conference is tentatively scheduled July 11 in Raleigh with the McCleans’ public relations representatives to detail the plans the couple have for the venue.

They have already contracted with an entertainment company, Scherer said.

Chichester said while there will be gaming at the venue, “Gaming won’t be the centerpiece.”

The ultimate goal is for them to develop the land surrounding the theater, Scherer said.

“That was what was originally intended, the theater to be the anchor,” Chichester said.

Mayor Emery Doughtie said following the meeting, “I feel good about it. Joe has worked hard, Gilbert has worked hard, everyone has worked hard. Selling a piece of property like this is not easy.”

The payments from the McCleans will go toward theater debt. Scherer said the city still owes $15 million on the building.

A restructuring of the debt has cut the repayment to around $1 million a year. “It’s helped us on the amount of cash flow payments,” he said.

The sale of the theater will reduce other costs associated with keeping the building open, which right now costs the city about $150,000 a year, the city manager said.

Trooper Scott Richardson of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Dennis Earl Hawkins, 56, faces charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed. He received a $2,000 secured bond.

Richardson said Hawkins was traveling an estimated 60 to 65 miles per hour when his rig slammed into the back of a van driven by William Patrick Myles, 62, of Melbourne, Florida.

Traffic in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 in Northampton County had been slowing down for the installation of a message board around the 176 mile marker, the Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

Hawkins hit the van driven by Myles, knocking it into the side of another tractor-trailer.

Richardson said Myles immediately after the crash pulled his 22-year daughter from the van, which burned.

Richardson said he rescued his daughter with his spine severed and his back broken. “He made sure she was out and safe,” the trooper said this evening. “That’s the ultimate sacrifice a parent can make for a child. Doing that with a broken back and severed spine, that should be impossible.”

Myles died at Vidant in Greenville later that evening.

Richardson said troopers assigned to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws are also investigating and he is awaiting their report.

Richardson attributed the crash to driver inattention.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to the area of Hollow Drive around 9:45 p.m. after receiving a report a victim was stabbed with a knife.

Deputy Jake Pignanello and Corporal Derrick Moore learned Brandy Griffin, 32,  was the alleged suspect. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to an undisclosed medical facility to receive further treatment.

Griffin was arrested on scene and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. She received a $25,000 bond pending a July 18 court date.

Hall said this morning motive was unclear.   

According to court records, Warren Aaron Smith Jr. was convicted in district court after counts of communicating threats and assault and battery were dismissed in exchange for a simple assault plea.

A 45-day jail sentence was suspended and he was ordered to serve 18 months of supervised probation.

Sheriff Wes Tripp said today of the case, “A complaint was brought to my attention, an internal investigation immediately began at which point the district attorney was called and the SBI took over the investigation. Early on in my internal investigation the employee’s services were no longer needed.”

The warrant filed by SBI Agent C. Cloutier on March 1 said there was probable cause to believe the defendant “unlawfully and willfully did threaten physical injury” to the victim. “The threat was communicated he was going to beat his ass and the threat was made in a manner and under circumstances which would cause a reasonable person to believe that the threat was likely to be carried out” and the victim who was threatened believed the threat would be carried out.

On the assault and battery charge, the warrant said there was probable cause to believe the defendant “willfully did assault and strike” the victim by grabbing him and knocking him to the ground.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said following a swearing-in ceremony in which Cassandra Dolberry and Patricia Whitaker were also administered oaths for town and finance officer respectively. “I’m definitely here to help. We’re planning for the Peanut Festival and our back to school event.”

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Freeman is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University who holds an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. He recently earned his law degree and a masters in public administration from North Carolina Central University.

“I want to do more to increase foot traffic and car traffic in town,” Freeman said. “I want to attract more business, industry and commercial here. We’re here to play ball and ready to play ball.”

Mayor Wayne Anderson said this is the first time the town has been fully staffed since 2011-12.

Enfield has been aggressive in revitalization efforts, Anderson said. “Small towns are reinventing themselves throughout the country. We’re excited to see how things will move on.”

District Court Judge Teresa Freeman administered the oath to her husband as well as Dolberry and Whitaker.

“I could not miss this,” she said. “I’m happy, obviously. This is my hometown. I was born, reared and educated here. This is my first love.”

Preston was born in Moyock, NC, May 15, 1954, to the late Milton and Elsie Jenkins Forbes. He enjoyed the outdoors. He had pleasure in riding four-wheelers with his family and enjoyed fishing. He was a Mopar Muscle Car enthusiast. Preston dearly loved his family and was a loving husband, “Deddy”, and grandpa.

Surviving is his wife of 43 years, Glenda Long Forbes of the home; sons, Brian Lee Forbes and wife, Joanne, of Roanoke Rapids and Steven Lee Forbes and girlfriend, Danielle Silvestri, of Wilmington; grandchildren, Briann, Brooke, and Braxton Forbes; his sisters, Belinda Leonard and Deborah Hartley. The family would like to give a heartfelt “thank you” for all the love and support given by family and friends.  

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral & Cremation Service of Roanoke Rapids Monday, July 2, 2018 from 7-8:30 pm. Rev. Jimmy King will conduct a Celebration of Preston's life at Good News Baptist Church Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 1:00 pm with interment to follow in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be given in Preston’s name and where he was a member, to Good News Baptist Church, 714 Hwy 125, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Online condolences may be sent to www.askewfs.com

On June 26, Officer M. Worrell responded to Chaloner Recreation Center on a call of a person exposing themself to staff and others.

When Worrell arrived, the officer noticed a man standing in the parking lot with nothing but boxers on.

Prior to the officer’s arrival, the man was reportedly nude.

Martin said Vontrell Johnson arrived at the center clothed but began taking his clothes off.

Johnson was at the center long enough for him to be spotted by staff and others.

It was unclear why he stripped, Martin said.

Worrell charged Johnson, 23, of Roanoke Rapids, with indecent exposure. He received an $8,000 bond and August 1 court date.

Assisting officers were J. Spragins, Sergeant T. Tyler and Master Officer R. Cross

On June 28, officers responded to Walmart on a larceny call.

While on the way to the business officers received a description of the alleged suspects and Lieutenant P. Parks stopped a vehicle.

Items from Walmart were recovered and a weapon was located in a makeup bag.

Before the stop, the suspect vehicle was chased a short distance. Following the stop a juvenile fled from the vehicle to a truck nearby.

Clarise Booth, 60, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by felon, carrying a concealed weapon, misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen goods, trespassing and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

She received a $20,000 bond and August 24 court date.

Assisting officers were Parks, Tyler and Spragins.

On Saturday officers were called to Walmart when a former employee entered the store, unlocked the game case and took games.

Officers C. Batchelor and N. Velazquez learned the suspect left the store.

The officers caught the man, Justin Keeton, 30, at  GameStop where he reportedly traded the games for money.

While checking the Roanoke Rapids man for further items, the keys to the cabinet were located in his pocket along with drug paraphernalia.

Keeton was charged with obtain property by false pretense, possess drug paraphernalia, felony larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Keeton was jailed on $6,000 bond and received an August 1 court date.

On Sunday, Officer E. Johnson arrested Jamaal Garner, 31, of Pleasant Hill.

Johnson was patrolling in the area of Hamilton Street and Julian R. Allsbrook Highway when Garner failed to stop for a stop sign.

Johnson observed there were no plates on the vehicle.

The driver failed to stop immediately when the officer activated his siren and lights.

Johnson approached the vehicle and Garner appeared to be upset and agitated.

Johnson noticed a liquor bottle on the front seat while talking to Garner.

Officer H. Grimes arrived on scene to assist Johnson but before Johnson could explain the situation, Garner started his car and sped off.

The officers pursued Garner down Highway 48 before he finally stopped.

During a search cocaine and liquor was located in the vehicle.

Garner was charged with flee to elude arrest; possession of schedule II; resisting a public officer; driving while license revoked; possession of an open container; fail to stop for a red light; reckless driving; fail to stop for a stop sign and DWI.

Garner was jailed on $10,000 bond with an August 1 court date.

Assisting officers were Sergeant Mark Peck and Master Officer D. Hundley,

Buffaloe, a 7 time Kyokushin youth & teen champion, fought for the first time as an adult in this world level event. In adult Kyokushin Karate tournaments, fighters are not allowed to wear any protective equipment, there are no rank or weight divisions, and points are only scored by knockouts, two complete knockdowns rendering a competitor unable to continue the match. The matches are always bareknuckle full contact style fighting, not light contact  point system like the other Karate styles use.  

One is a father’s love for his child and the other is the loss and search for a cherished family pet, a cat named Winnie.

William Patrick Myles was a 62-year-old operations manager for an elevator company who saved his daughter’s life when the van they were traveling from Pennsylvania back to Florida in was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer.

“He saved my life,” 22-year-old Kathleen Myles said last week by phone. “The car was burning.”

What Mr. Myles did was unimaginable even to the troopers who investigated the crash, especially in the condition he was in after the estimated 60 to 65 miles per hour impact.

Trooper Scott Richardson told us last week, as did Sergeant M.P. Cape, Mr. Myles, his spine severed, his back broken, was able to get his daughter out of the burning vehicle before collapsing. “I would have been burned alive,” Kathleen said. “He did that with a severed spine.”

It was typical of him to be self-sacrificing, Kathleen said. He loved his children. “It was a miracle.”

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He also loved the five cats the family adopted. “Oh, my gosh,” Kathleen said, “He loved his kittens.”

The state Highway Patrol said last week several people who know the details of the crash have left food for Winnie, hoping it will coax her from hiding. Upon the impact of the crash, Winnie's cage broke free and she fled.

The Highway Patrol encourages caution when looking for Winnie in areas in and around where the crash occurred, near the 180 exit in Northampton County and if she is spotted it is encouraged call the office in Roanoke Rapids at 252-536-2224.

“It would mean the world to us,” to have her back, Kathleen said. “She is a sweetheart, a shy cat.”

With any luck at all, finding the cat would help the family “have a piece of our father,” back, Kathleen said.

There is a sidebar to this sorrowful story as well.

It’s simply the kindness which has been shown the family in the wake of the fatal crash, Kathleen said. “We appreciate everything everyone has done for us,” she said. “North Carolina has been taking care of us. It means the world to us.”

What we have reported in the aftermath of the crash touches us deeply, the story of a father’s love, what the promise of hope in finding Winnie would mean for this family and the kindness our area has shown a family in the most heartbreaking of circumstances one could imagine — Editor

Born January 11, 1940, in Halifax County, he was the son of William Ray Pittman and Violet Sue Draper Pittman.  

His parents, and two brothers, Curtis and Monte, preceded him in death.

Willard was a skilled welder, a profession he enjoyed all his life.  He was a member of Iron Workers Local #30, then later joined the Boilermakers – Iron Ship Building, Local Lodge #45.  He loved his wife, children and grandchildren; enjoyed traveling and movies.

Willard loved and lived life to the fullest.

Survivors include his wife, Lydia Jenkins Pittman; daughter, Wanda Jones and husband Spencer of Morehead City; son, Jason Ray Pittman and wife Laine Moore Pittman of Roanoke Rapids; sister, Sandra Warren of Darlington; grandchildren, Brandy Davis and husband Marcus, Dustin Jones, Hunter Elizabeth Jones, Christian Pittman, Abbie Pittman, Jackson Sharpe and Lucas Sharpe; great-grandchildren, Hayley Shaw and Bryson Davis; and sisters-in-law, Eula Shearin, Daisy Newsom and Betsy Rains; nieces and nephews.

The service to celebrate Willard’s life will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 4, 2018 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Minister Jeff Haislip presiding.

Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 10 – 10:45 am Wednesday, prior to the service.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Riverside Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 521 Lees Point Drive, Littleton, NC 27850.

Online condolences may be left at hockadayfs.com

Linwood was born, August 17, 1948, in Halifax County, NC, to the late Lewis C. and Lilian Bolton Ricks.  

He was a veteran having served his country with the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era and was a Navy Seal and was a Purple Heart recipient.

He eventually gained employment with the Weldon Police Department and later served as Chief of Police.  

He loved cooking, woodworking and especially loved to listen to “old school” Country and Rock n’ Roll music. He was a very talented man that could do anything, but above all, he was a wonderful Husband and provider to his loving wife.  

Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Priscilla Ricks of the home; sisters, Mary Snead and husband, FD, and Teresa Ricks both of Roanoke Rapids. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 7-9 pm at Askew Funeral & Cremation Service of Roanoke Rapids and all other times at the home, 114 Tom Willey St., Gaston, NC.  Dave Chapman, Minister will conduct funeral services Friday, July 6, 2018, in the chapel at Askew’s beginning at 2:00 pm. Entombment will take place immediately following the service at Crestview Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.askewfs.com

He was born in Nash County in 1990 and was preceded in death by his Mother, Mary Dunning Shearin, his paternal Grandfather, Winfield Shearin and his maternal grandparents, William J. Dunning and Mary Antoinette Stephenson Dunning.

Stephen was a devoted Christian and a member of Enterprise Baptist Church. He was a 2008 graduate of Halifax Academy, an avid sports fan and loved NC State, Jeff Gordon and the Dallas Cowboys.

Stephen is survived by his father, Craig Shearin and his wife Kim; his sister, Kimi of the home; his paternal grandmother, Sylvia Stover of Littleton, NC, his maternal grandparents, Don and Carol Moseley of Roanoke Rapids; several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and his Canine Companion, Cotton.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 12 Noon at Enterprise Baptist Church with Rev. Darrin Lambert officiating.

Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday, July 5, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church Building fund, 404 Enterprise Road Littleton, NC 27850, Home health and Hospice of Halifax County 220 Smith Church Road Building C Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or Duke Children’s Hospital 2301 Erwin Rd. Durham, NC 27705.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services of Roanoke Rapids is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com

Open registration will be on their home field at Northampton County High School Jaguars' Stadium.  

Athletes must be 7-11 years old.  

Please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate.  

Registration fee is $30.00. 

The Historic Site in Halifax will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with musket-firing demonstrations and a special reading of the Declaration of Independence.

At 5 p.m. the town of Halifax will host its annual Fourth of July celebration at the courthouse complex on Ferrell Lane.

There will be food, children’s activities and other entertainment planned.

The fireworks display is scheduled for around 9 p.m.

The town of Hobgood celebrates the nation’s birthday beginning at 6 p.m. at Friendship Park.

There will be live music, food and drama at the event.

The fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m.

The fireworks rain date is set for July 7 at 9 p.m.

Festivities in Jackson begin at Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center on Highway 305 at 5 p.m.

Steve Owens and Summertime will be the featured entertainment.

Jay Jenkins will serve as MC.

Fireworks by Grand Illusions are expected to start around 9:15 p.m.

Edwina was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of the late Charles W. “Buck” Baird and Margie Williams Baird.

She worked for many years with the U.S. Postal Service and retired from the medical records department of Halifax Medical Specialists.

Edwina is survived by her daughter, Allison Jenkins and her husband Matt; step-daughter, Brigitte Hale; granddaughters, Charlesanna Jenkins and Katlyn Jenkins.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Cedarwood Cemetery with Rev. Randy Martin officiating.

The family will receive friends following the service at the home of her daughter Allison 1320 Georgia Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC.

Online condolences may be left at wrennclarkehagan.com

Arrangements will be announced following the Independence Day Holiday week.
Hockaday Funeral and Cremation is serving the family.

On Monday at approximately 2 p.m., investigators C. Babb and J. Hardy were following up on a narcotics complaints in the uptown mill village when they conducted a traffic stop for a violation at Roanoke Avenue near Hinson Street.

A search was conducted and narcotics were found.

Morgan Elizabeth Proctor, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and maintaining a vehicle.  ‘

She received a $2,000 bond and August 1 court date.

Officer C. Hagbourne assisted.

On Tuesday at approximately 5 a.m., Master Officer G. Colson responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of Monroe Street.  

Colson found Jeremiah Hyman, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, walking on West First near Jefferson Streets and discovered him in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia.  

Hyman was cited for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

He was released until his August 13 court date.

Later in the day around 12:15 p.m., Officer A. Green went to the 100 block of Monroe Street to serve outstanding domestic warrants.  

Green located Hyman and took him into custody. During a search Green located narcotics in Hyman’s possession.  

Hyman was charged with domestic trespass, damage to property and was cited for possession of marijuana.

Hyman was jailed without opportunity for bond and has an August 7 court date.

On Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m., the department received information about people armed with a handgun walking in the area of East Tenth and Washington streets.  

The people were located and a handgun in the possession of a 15-year-old was recovered.

Lieutenant B. Norton will be consulting with Juvenile Services for further proceedings.

The juvenile was processed and released to a parent pending review by Juvenile Services.

A Squad and the Criminal Investigative Division assisted.

On Tuesday at approximately 6 p.m., Sergeant M. Moseley responded to a report of a larceny from Angel’s Closet at the intersection of highways 158 and 48.  

While responding the suspect left and Moseley located the suspect and vehicle on Highway 48 and Smith Church Road.  

During the investigation Terence Cortez Wyche, 27, of Rocky Mount, was found in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia.

Moseley charged Wyche with possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver Xanax, maintaining a vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Wyche received an $8,000 bond and August 1 court date.

Hagbourne and Officer C. Batchelor assisted.

On Wednesday at approximately 5:15 a.m., officers responded to RR Business Center off Julian R. Allsbrook Highway for an armed robbery.  

Employees stated two men entered the business, displayed handguns and demanded money. Employees complied and the suspects fled on foot.

One suspect was wearing camo and had a white mask covering part of his face while the second was wearing dark clothing and the same type mask.

Both were armed with handguns.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Lieutenant C.L. Vaught at 252-533-2819 or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

On Wednesday at approximately 1:45 p.m., Hagbourne conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.

During the stop narcotics, paraphernalia and an open container was located.  

The driver, Gage Skylar Tinkham, 17, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for no operator’s license, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The passenger, Marvin Leroy Webb, 54, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of an open container.  

Tinkham and Webb were released until their September 24 court dates.

Master Officer Ryan Cross and Green assisted.

On Wednesday at approximately 2 p.m., Moseley conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Adams Circle and during the stop narcotics were found.

Moseley arrested and charged the driver, Lindsey Rose Myrick, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of Xanax and two counts of possession of Percocet and Lortab.

She received a $500 bond and August 3 court date.

Norton, Cross and Hagbourne assisted.

On Wednesday at approximately 10:30 p.m., Batchelor conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Tenth Street near Roanoke Avenue.

During the stop narcotics were found in possession of passenger Elijah Ray Couch, 24, of Weldon.

Batchelor arrested and charged Couch with possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine and possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana.  

He received a $3,500 bond and August 1 court date.

Officers N. Velazquez and H. Grimes assisted.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said this afternoon investigators believe it was Wade Carter’s intent to sexually assault the Raleigh Street victim before the 88-year-old woman shot him the morning of May 24.

According to a statement released this afternoon, Carter, 54, also faces charges for an attempted burglary at the home of the Raleigh Street victim going back to December 23 of last year.

Hasty said the new warrants against Carter, who is still in custody in the May crime in the 500 block of Raleigh Street, are expected to be served by Friday.

Pinning the new charges on Carter, Hasty said this afternoon, came from a thorough review of any cases with the same MO. Carter reportedly had knowledge about the victims and their living situations.

“Officers and investigators had collected evidence from the various crime scenes,” the police chief said. “Besides collecting evidence the officers and investigators went back on these older cases to find out if Mr. Carter had a connection to these areas. After we did the case review we had a gut feeling he was the guy responsible for all of these crimes but waited until the full analysis by the State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab of all the evidence.”

Hasty said the police department got the analysis back within a month thanks to the priority order filed by District Attorney Valerie Asbell and “the work of those at the SBI Crime Lab. It was a fantastic job.”

Warrants have been filed against Carter for the following crimes:

Burglary, first-degree rape, kidnapping and larceny after breaking/entering, for a crime reported on December 9, 2017, in the 300 block of Taylor Street. The victim reported they were awakened by a suspect standing over them. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim, and before the suspect left, he took items from the residence.

Attempted burglary and injury to property, for a matter at the Raleigh Street victim’s house from December 23, 2017. The victim reported finding damage to their door, where someone had unsuccessfully tried to break into the residence.

Burglary, attempted first-degree rape, common law robbery, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and kidnapping for an April 14 crime in the 300 block of Monroe Street. The victim reported waking up to their alarm going off and finding the suspect standing over them. The suspect then attempted to sexually assault the victim and demanded money. Before the suspect left, he physically assaulted the victim by hitting them in the face and causing injury.

First-degree rape, common law robbery and kidnapping for a May 15, crime in the 800 block of Jackson Street. The victim reported they were awakened by footsteps inside the residence coming up the stairway. The victim attempted to close the bedroom door, but the suspect forced his way inside. Once inside the bedroom, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim and then demanded cash from the victim. The suspect wanted the victim to drive him to get more cash from an ATM. When they went outside to get in the vehicle, the victim was able to drive off and report the crime.

A search warrant was obtained for a DNA sample from Carter while he was being treated at the hospital for the gunshot wound he received on May 24.

In the statement Hasty said, on May 25 investigators received Carter’s DNA sample and sent it to the SBI Crime Lab along with evidence collected at the other crime scenes for comparison and a possible match. “The Roanoke Rapids Police Department obtained priority testing for all submitted evidence, as requested from elected District Attorney Valerie Asbell. Over the past two weeks, the results have been coming back from the lab connecting Mr. Carter to these crimes.”

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office:

Detective R.B. Biggerstaff said on June 15 a report of a break-in and larceny from a sweepstakes establishment located on Highway 561 in Hollister was received.

The establishment reported money was stolen during the break-in.

Biggerstaff said the break-in most likely occurred in the early morning hours.

The suspect broke the front glass door to gain entry.

Investigators believe the suspect was either wearing a hood or possibly a mask.

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

Weldon Police Department

On June 29 Officer N. Coles responded to a convenience store located in the 500 block of West Second Street following a 911 call, Lieutenant Chris Davis reported.

After Officer Coles arrived he identified the caller as Tony Taylor, 39, of Weldon.

Coles determined Taylor misused the 911 system several times throughout this day and drug paraphernalia was also located.

Taylor was arrested and taken before a magistrate.

He was charged with misuse of 911 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He received a $500 secured bond with an August 10 court date.