On Saturday, October 3, 2015, Alexander County Communications received information that a residence located near the 5900 block of Paul Payne Store Road in Taylorsville had been shot into with a weapon sometime during the previous night.  No one was injured during the shooting but the residence did sustain damage.  An investigation is ongoing in reference to this incident.  Anyone with information about this incident may call the Alexander County Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.

Edwin Wayne Coley

On October 14th, 2015 at 8:12 a.m. Alexander County 911 received a call regarding a domestic disturbance at a home on Barrett Mountain in the Ellendale Community.  When officers arrived on scene and began to approach the house the suspect at the residence fired several shots.  The responding officers took cover and called for backup.

Officers from the NC Highway Patrol, NC Probation, Taylorsville Police Department, and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and began to surround the home.  A standoff ensued with the suspect who barricaded himself inside the home.  The suspect, later identified as Edwin Wayne Coley, white male, age 30 was taken into custody at 9:30 a.m. following the standoff with officers.

Coley was charged with Assault By Pointing A Gun in relation to the domestic dispute that occurred with his wife before officers arrived on the scene.  Coley is being held without bond in the Alexander County Detention Center with a court date set for November 2nd, 2015.  Fortunately no one was injured during the incident.  Sheriff Chris Bowman expressed his gratitude to all agencies that responded to assist including Alexander County EMS and Alexander County Rescue Squad who responded to a staging area during the incident.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has recovered a number of tools, lawn and garden equipment, and other miscellaneous items that are suspected to have been stolen from Alexander and surrounding counties.  The recovery is a result of an intensive investigation into a suspected theft ring and Investigators need help from larceny victims to identify their items.

Over the past several months the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of larcenies from open garages and carports.  The reports, some of which date back to the beginning of 2015, established a pattern of thefts of items ranging from weed trimmers and power tools to gas cans and fishing rods.  Investigators learned that the suspects would approach a residence and knock on the door first to see if anyone was home.  If no one answered from within the home the suspects would proceed to steal items from open garages and carport storage areas, eventually taking the items back to a third-party re-seller, known as a “fence”, who would then help sell the items and split the profit.  If anyone answered the door when the suspects knocked they would generally ask the homeowners a question about an unrelated matter before leaving.

It was discovered that the suspects were known to drive an older model car spray painted black with a broken windshield and black wheels.  The suspects were described by witnesses as being an older heavy build white female with reddish-brown hair and some witnesses also reported seeing a white male with her.

On Friday, October 16, 2015 Investigators stopped the suspect vehicle described by witnesses and identified the female inside as Saundra Cantrell, white female, age 45, of Catawba County.  There was a white male identified as Larry Allan Miller, of Hickory with her.  Inside the car Investigators found stolen property from Burke County.  Both were charged with Larceny and Obtaining Property by False Pretense.  More charges will be filed.  Numerous other agencies are involved in this investigation including Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, and Burke County Sheriff’s Office.  A large number of items were later recovered from the suspected fence’s home and taken tot he Alexander County Sheriff’s Office for identification.

If you are the victim of a recent larceny of items form a carport or garage you are asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and speak with an Investigator to see if any of your items may have been recovered.  You may reach the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division by calling 828-632-1111 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm.  When you call please be prepared to give investigators as much information about your stolen items as possible including a description, color, make, model and serial number if possible in order to help in the identification process.

Post expires at 4:46pm on Tuesday April 19th, 2016

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Shelter Home of Caldwell County, which operates a Domestic Violence Program here in Alexander County, to help promote Domestic Violence Awareness during the month of October.  During October, the entrance sign at the Law Enforcement Center is being lit in purple light in observance of this awareness campaign.

Sheriff Chris Bowman, Chief Deputy Tod Jones, Detective Bob Benfield and Detective Dennis Foster have also appeared on several Domestic Violence Awareness posters under the eNOugh campaign in an effort to raise awareness of the problem of Domestic Violence in Alexander County.  Sheriff Chris Bowman also appeared in a public safety announcement video promoting the eNOugh Campaign in Alexander County

A special domestic violence training opportunity for law enforcement responders will be presented from 10am-2pm on October 22nd at East Taylorsville Baptist Church in Taylorsville.  This training, entitled “Creating A Community Focus On Domestic Homicide Prevention, is offered free of charge and will be open to any law enforcement officer or agency who would like more information on domestic violence response and intervention.  The event will feature High Point Police Chief Marty A. Sumner as the keynote speaker who will be speaking about how his department partnered with surrounding agency stakeholders to implement a strategy to combat domestic violence known as the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative.  Pre-registration is required.  To register for this event please call the   Taylorsville office of the Shelter Home of Caldwell County at 828-635-8850.  You will be required to provide your name, agency, phone number, and email address for confirmation purposes when registering.

On Thursday, October 22nd a candlelight vigil, open to the public, will be held at Taylorsville Presbyterian Church from 6pm until 7pm.  Light refreshments will be served from 5:30pm until 6pm prior to the vigil.  Taylorsville Presbyterian Church is located at 279 Main Avenue Dr, Taylorsville.  If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence please call the crisis line at 828-635-8881.  Remember that Silence Hides Violence.  Join together with us as we stand up and say eNOugh to domestic violence in Alexander County!

Alexander County Emergency Communications center received a call regarding a possible child abduction attempt in the Chapman Ln area of Sipe Rd on Tuesday.  The call was received around 4:05 p.m. from a residence where the mother of a young child stated she had witnessed an unknown male standing in a field approximately 30 yards from where her child was standing.  When the mother saw the male she says he took off running away from the residence.

The incident began when the caller said she stepped inside her home for a minute while her child was playing outside the home.  When she came back outside she said she did not see her child but heard the family dog barking behind their residence.  The caller stated that when she went to see what the dog was barking at she saw her child standing at the edge of a field that borders her yard; that’s when she noticed a male standing about 30 yards east of her at the opposite edge of the field.  She ran back to her house with her child and called the Sheriff’s Office.  Officers responded quickly and surrounded the area setting up a containment perimeter on the roads around the incident.

As investigators arrived on scene, K-9 tracking assistance was requested and a Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit responded to the area.  The K-9 searched the field but did not pick up on any strong track where the caller said she had observed the male standing in the field.  Sheriff Bowman arrived on scene and requested that a helicopter respond to the area from the NC Highway Patrol Air Unit stationed in Salisbury.  The Alexander County Rescue Squad also responded to the area with their ATV Search trailer and assisted officers on the ground with searching along the riverbank near Liledoun Church Cemetery.

NC Highway Patrol Helicopter Searching The Area

Officers searched the area from the air and from the ground for nearly two hours before efforts were called off due to a lack of further evidence of the unknown male suspect being discovered.  “Officers have searched extensively in the area but no further evidence of the suspect has been discovered” said Sheriff Chris Bowman.  “Although it is unclear what this person’s intentions may have been, at this time there is no evidence that he is still in the area” Bowman continued.

The suspect was described by the witness as being a white male approximately 5′-6″ tall, medium build, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.  The witness said she observed the male run east from the edge of the field adjacent to her home until he disappeared from her sight near the Liledoun Baptist Church cemetery entrance road.  Anyone who may have observed a person fitting this description leaving the area of Liledoun Baptist Church or the Liledoun Rd / Sipe Rd area yesterday around 4:00 p.m. is asked to contact the Criminal investigations Unit of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office by calling 828-632-1111.  Sheriff Bowman gratefully acknowledges the support of all agencies who assisted in the search.

On Sunday, October 25, 2015, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office 911 received a call of a suspicious person.  Officers responded to Lyndon’s Riverview Sports Hwy 16 South in Taylorsville, where suspicious persons came back out of the store, two male and one female. It was discovered that several items had been shoplifted. A search of the suspects’ vehicle yielded a rifle with the serial numbers filed off, as well as drug paraphernalia.  The suspects were identified as Dustin Clay Gatton, age 34 of Statesville, Melissa Jo Waldroup, age 34 of Stony Point, and Eric Shawn Campbell, age 32 of Stony Point. All three were arrested and taken to the Alexander County Law Enforcement Center for processing.

Dustin Clay Gatton

Dustin Clay Gatton was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Altering Serial Number on Firearm, Shoplifting, and Concealment of Goods. He was issued a $45,000 secured bond with a court date scheduled for October 26, 2015 in Alexander County District Court.

Melissa Jo Waldroup

Melissa Jo Waldroup was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Altering Serial Number on Firearm, Shoplifting, Concealment of Goods, and Failure to Appear. She was issued a $30,000 secured bond with a court date scheduled for October 26, 2015 in Alexander County District Court.

Eric Shawn Campbell

Eric Shawn Campbell was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Altering Serial Number on Firearm. He was issued a $45,000 secured bond with a court date scheduled for October 26, 2015 in Alexander County District Court.

Post expires at 4:47pm on Saturday November 21st, 2015

WANTED: Allen Jennings Campbell

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking Allen Jennings Campbell on charges of Failure to Report Change of Address as a registered sex offender.  Campbell’s last known address was on Liledoun RD but officers have been unable to located Campbell to verify a new location he is living.  Allen Jennings Campbell is a white male, age 26.  Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Allen Jennings Campbell is asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 632-2911 or the Alexander County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 632-8555.

WANTED: Clifford Kerley

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking Clifford Kerley on charges of Failure to Report Change of Address as a Registered Sex Offender.  Kerley is rumored to be staying in a mobile home behind 126 Saunders LN off NC Highway 90 East.  Authorities have also received reports that Kerley may be staying at 15 Kendra LN off Old Wilkesboro RD.  Anyone who sees Kerley or knows of a location he is currently at is asked to call 632-2911 immediately to report his whereabouts.  Calls may also be made anonymously to Alexander County Crime Stoppers by dialing 632-8555.

Marcelino Miguel Diaz

On 12/19/2015 Marcelino Miguel Diaz age 71 of Taylorsville was arrested and charged with one count of Indecent Liberties with a Minor. Diaz was placed under a $100,000 secured bond. He has a court date for 12/28/2015. The investigation continues.

Ricky Scott Holloway

On 12/04/2015 Ricky Scott Holloway age 57 of Taylorsville,  was arrested and charged with 1st degree Kidnapping, 1st rape, 1st degree Sexual Offense, and Assault Inflicting Serious Injury. He was also wanted in Kansas for felony probation violation. He is currently being held in the Alexander County jail on a $1,000,000 secured bond. He has a court appearance on Monday 12/28/2015. The investigation revealed that the Victim and Holloway were acquainted with each other. The investigation is continuing.

Suspect Vehicle: Any information call Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555

Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are conducting an investigation into a Breaking & Entering and Larceny incident.  The Alexander County Emergency Communications Center received a call regarding the Breaking & Entering at 1:29 PM on December 21, 2015 which was reported in the Lee Matheson Rd area of central Alexander County.  Officers responded to the area and began processing the scene. During the investigation it was determined that the suspect vehicle was a newer model Hyundai Veloster.  Unknown suspect(s) entered an outbuilding on the property and removed several items during the larceny.  Some of the items stolen include a 5mm Remington rifle, welding machine, and fishing gear.  A photograph of the Suspect vehicle has been attached to this news release.  Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Alexander County Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.  Information may also be provided online by visiting www.AlexanderSheriff.org and all tips may remain anonymous.   A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in this case.

Frank Solomon Mecimore

On June 9, 2015 Frank Solomon Mecimore was charged and arrested with Indecent Liberties with a Minor. The 5-year-old female victim was taken to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital for evaluation. After further investigation into the incident, Mecimore was charged with 1st Degree Sex Offense with a child. Mecimore is currently being held at the Alexander County Detention Center under a $440,000 secured bond. The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending.

The body of a black male was found Wednesday afternoon in the Ellendale Community west of Taylorsville. Two suspects are in custody at this time they are identified as Toni Anthony Hearne age 51 of Charlotte NC and Linsey Marie Lentz age 33 of Albemarle they are both charged with Murder and Conceal/Fail to report a Death.  Alexander County 911 got a call about a suspicious vehicle at approximately 12:12 PM today, when deputies responded they found a vehicle stuck at 6045 Highway 64-90 west. Deputies noticed an area where it appeared something had been drug into a wooded area.  A Sheriff’s Lieutenant found a body of a male behind an abandoned house in a wooded area partially buried under leaves and sticks. As a precaution Ellendale Elementary School which is less than a half mile from the crime scene was placed on soft lock down. A helicopter searched the area as did a K9 unit and a large number of officers no other suspects were located.  Students at the Elementary School were dismissed per normal procedure. The victim has been identified as Robert Adam Hearne Jr.  It is still unclear as to a motive or circumstances that occurred prior to the death.  The investigation is continuing and more details will be released as they develop.  Both suspects are under a no bond. 

Ethan Scott Young

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged 21 year old Ethan Scott Young of Hiddenite with one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to kill and Felony Discharging a weapon into an occupied residence or vehicle.

The charges stem from an incident that began Thursday night off Damascus Church Road in Hiddenite. Ethan Scott Young is said to have been firing a rifle when he was approached by a neighbor complaining that some of the bullets were landing close to his residence. An altercation ensued between the two men during which time the neighbor wrestled the rifle away from Young. Young then allegedly produced another weapon.   At this point Young began following the neighbor in a vehicle; Young allegedly fired multiple shots at the vehicle driven by the neighbor.

The neighbor then stated he knew that a North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper lived off Johnson’s Farm Road and he went there for possible assistance. The vehicles then ended up at the Troopers residence. Young is said to have fired at least 7 shots striking the home of the Trooper. The Trooper and his family were elsewhere at the time of the incident.

During the incident, an off duty Alexander County Sheriff’s Deputy who was nearby was contacted by phone. The officer then responded and was able to take Young into custody near the scene. No one was hit with the gunfire and there were no injuries reported.

Ethan Scott Young was taken to the Alexander County Detention Center and placed under a $250,000 secured bond.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the NC Highway Patrol, Taylorsville Police, and The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. There is no indication that the Highway Patrol Trooper whose home was struck with gunfire had any previous dealings with the suspect.

Madelin Nicole McLaughlin, who was reported missing earlier today, has been found safe in Catawba County.  Through a lengthy investigation, authorities derermined that McLaughlin was at a location near Newton and she has now been returned home safe.

Eric Rangel NIEVES

On Friday, March 25, 2016, Investigators from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office were notified of Sex Acts Against a Minor that started in 2014.  Further investigation discovered most recently, Disseminating Obscenities.

The suspect in this case is Eric Rangel NIEVES, 21, of Hiddenite.  Mr. NIEVES was subsequently charged with 1 count of Statutory Rape and He was also charged with 1 count of Felony Disseminate Obscenity.  He was arrested without incident and placed under a $45,000.00 Secured Bond.  He had a First Appearance in District Court on Monday, March 28, 2016.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged two Alexander County Residents with Breaking and Entering of a Residence.  Jeffery Lynn Bustle age 34 of Taylorsville and Chad Eugene Fox age 42 also of Taylorsville are charged with Breaking Entering and Larceny, Safe Cracking and Larceny of a Firearm.  Both were placed under a $50,000.00 bond and have a first court appearance on April 11, 2016.  The charges stem from an investigation of a Breaking and Entering that occurred on April 4, 2016 near Icard Ridge Road in Bethlehem.  A safe and Firearm were stolen.  Sheriff Deputies recovered some of the stolen property and the investigation is continuing.  More arrests are  possible as the investigation continues.

The Sale of Personal Property scheduled to take place on Friday, May 27th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. for the Tahoe boat has been cancelled pursuant to a recent court action in the case.  If the item is ordered to be sold at a future date an update will be posted here online as well as announced through the Taylorsville Times and WACB B86 radio.

Michael Kevin Julian

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Michael Kevin Julian age 60 of Taylorsville with three counts of Indecent Liberties with a child under the age of 13.  Julian was arrested May 19, 2016 by Detectives with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.  Julian was placed under a $150,000.00 bond and has a First Appearance of May 23, 2016.  Due to the sensitive nature of this case no other information will be released.