Sheriff Chris Bowman announced today that he and his staff will offer a free seminar on church security issues on June 13th, 2016 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Alexander Central high School Auditorium. The training is geared toward church leaders and pastoral staff and is designed to raise awareness about some of the potential security concerns churches may face today.  Attendees will be given information about some of the security threats they may face and how to begin developing their own plan to mitigate those concerns.  The training is planned to last until 8:00 p.m. formatted as a one hour presentation followed by a brief group discussion / Q&A session.  Following the training, attendees may complete an interest card if they wish for the Sheriff’s Office staff to set up an appointment to visit their church at a later date to assist with one-on-one training, security plan development, or to complete a facility security threat assessment.

This free training and assistance is offered as a complimentary service of Sheriff Chris Bowman and the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and was developed in conjunction with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association. The registration form may be found below and training is open to Alexander County church leaders of all denominations.  Anyone with questions about the seminar may contact Chief Deputy Tod Jones or Sheriff Chris Bowman by calling 828-632-1111 Monday – Friday between 9am and 4pm.  Questions may also be directed via email to tjones@alexandercountync.gov

Post expires at 12:00am on Tuesday June 14th, 2016

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.

Alexander County will host its 4th annual National night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 from 5pm until 9pm at the Taylorsville Lions Club Fairgrounds located at 175 Fairgrounds Rd.  The free event is open to the community and is designed to bring neighbors and law enforcement together to help build working partnerships aimed at reducing and preventing crime in their neighborhoods.  Free hotdogs, popcorn, and bottled water will be given away while supplies last.  Alexander County Crime Stoppers will be selling Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Jr. Frosty’s, and canned soft drinks for only $1 each with all proceeds going directly to the non-profit Crime Stoppers organization.  Free live entertainment will be provided by Ten-Eighteen band, a local group consisting of current ad former emergency services employees playing classic rock.  Shake Down band will also join us again this year bringing your favorites of beach, shag, rock’n’roll, funk, motown, country, and top 40 music.  A children’s area will feature bounce attractions and other fun activities as well as a visit from Mcgruff the Crime Dog.  Various emergency vehicle displays including several helicopters are planned to be on display for the event as well as informational booths from our community partners.  Come out and enjoy a free evening of fun and entertainment for the whole family as you help us take a stand against crime in Alexander County!  More information is available on our website at http://alexandersheriff.org/national-night-out/

Around 6:20 pm Wednesday a woman stopped at the Dollar General Store off Highway 127 in Bethlehem. She parked in front of the store with the engine running and air conditioning on. His white Shih Tzu dog was left in the vehicle.

Two white males entered the store and quickly exited and entered the parked vehicle and drove away. The only description of the suspects are white males, mid 20’s, slim build. The vehicle stolen was a 2009 Nissan Cube, black in color.

If you have any information that might assist in the investigation contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office or CRIME STOPPERS at 828-632-8555.

A Chick-Fil-A sandwich sale has been planned for September 22nd form 11am until 1pm to help a former Deputy Sheriff with recent medical bills.  Meals will be pre-sold for $5 and will include an original Chicken sandwich, chips, and dessert.  All proceeds raised will be given to David Adams, a former Deputy Sheriff with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, to help with medical bills incurred for a recent illness.

Order forms may be picked up at the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office (located at 91 Commercial Park Avenue) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.  Orders and payment must be returned to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office no later than 4pm on Wednesday, September 14th.  If paying by check please make the check payable to David Adams. Orders of 10 meals or more qualify for free delivery (just indicate the address and desired delivery time on the order form).

Orders may be picked up at the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Training Room on September 22nd between 11am and 1pm (park in the front parking lot and look for signs directing you to the side of the building to enter).

Any questions about the fundraiser may should be directed to Chief Deputy Tod Jones via email at jones@alexandercountync.gov or by phone at (828) 632-1107.

Zachary Ryan Moser, who was being sought by officers for an early morning assault in Stony Point, has now been taken into custody according to Sheriff Chris Bowman.  Moser’s arrest comes on the heels of a nearly five-hour manhunt that involved multiple law enforcement agencies.  During the manhunt, officers utilized various technologies to narrow down Moser’s location to the South Thomas Ln area of Stony Point.  While patrolling that area, a Sheriff’s Deputy was tipped off to the exact location Moser was hiding by a citizen.  Officers entered a home on South Thomas Lane and took Moser into custody without further incident.  Zachary Ryan Moser, age 31, of Catawba County was arrested on charges of Assault on a Female, Resist, Delay or Obstruct an Officer, and two counts of Breaking and Entering.  Moser will also face outstanding warrants in Catawba County stemming from an earlier incident.

Sheriff Chris Bowman expressed his gratitude to the numerous officers and agencies that assisted in the search and apprehension of Zachary Moser.  Those agencies involved included the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, NC Adult Probation, NC Highway Patrol, NC State K-9, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office K-9, and Alexander County Emergency Management.

Justin Carver

On September 23, 2016 at approximately 10:30 am the Alexander County 911 received a 911 call in reference to an 18 month old had fallen off of a couch.  EMS was dispatched to a residence on NC Hwy 16 South.  EMS arrived on the scene and felt the injuries did not match the call and reported to the ACSO.  The child was taken by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.  Detectives went to the residence on NC Hwy 16 S and spoke to the homeowner.  The homeowner stated the incident occurred at a residence on Will Wilson Ln that was owned by Justin Carver.  Carver had brought the child to the residence on Hwy16 South, which is a relative of Carver, and Carver called 911.

The residence at Will Wilson Ln was secured awaiting a search warrant.  Detectives went to Catawba Valley Medical Center and interviewed the mother of the child as well as Justin Carver.  Carver is not the biological father of the child but is mother’s boyfriend.  The child was taken by chopper to Brenner’s Children Hospital in Winston Salem. Detectives noted bruising on the child and the child was not responsive. Detectives talked to the medical staff and determined that the injuries appeared to be child abuse.  DSS was also notified.  It was determined that Carver was the only caretaker of the child at the time of the incident.  Carver was charged and arrested with Felony Child Abuse and placed under a $500,000 secured bond.  His first court appearance is scheduled for September 26, 2016.

Detectives have checked on the baby all weekend.  The injuries appear to be life threatening and the child

is on life support at the time of this news release.  The investigation is continuing. No other information

available at this time.

Sheriff Chris Bowman is starting a new program designed to bring community members and law enforcement together for casual conversation and rapport building.  The program, recognized nationally as “Coffee With A Cop”, is patterned after other similar programs across the Nation and will feature a time when officers will be available at a local restaurant to sit down with community members and discuss issues in the community over a cup of coffee.

The inaugural meeting will be held on Friday, October 7th from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Taylorsville Bojangles restaurant located at 500 NC Highway 16 South.  There is no agenda so come out and share a little time and conversation with those who work daily in our community to protect and serve.  Voice your concerns about crime, share a positive story about your interaction with our officers, or just enjoy some fellowship and conversation with your neighbors and local law enforcement.  Attendees are responsible for the purchase of any food or beverage.

Sheriff Chris Bowman wishes to express his gratitude to Bojangles of Taylorsville for agreeing to host Alexander County’s first Coffee With A Cop meeting.  Future meetings will be announced online at www.AlexanderSheriff.org and on the agency’s Facebook page.

coffee-with-a-cop

UPDATE:  Charges against man held for Child Abuse now upgraded to First Degree Murder following death of the child.

On Monday, September 26, 2016, at approximately 4:15 PM, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Brenner’s Children’s Hospital that the child, Camden Hudson, W/M age 17 months, was going to be taken off of life support. The Sheriff’s Office was notified again at approximately 4:36 PM that the child was deceased.

Warrants for first degree murder were issued shortly after the child was deceased on Justin Lon Carver, W/M, age 25 of Taylorsville.  His first appearance will be Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in Alexander County District Court. Carver is currently being held in the Alexander County Detention Center without bond.

An autopsy on the child is being performed on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Baptist Hospital.

This investigation is continuing.

See the original news release below:

Man Held under $500,000 Bond Following Child Abuse Charges

Bobby Lee Minton, Sr.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of a registered sex offender who has failed to file a change of address notice with the Sheriffs Office.  Arrest warrants are currently outstanding on Bobby Lee Minton Sr for Failing to Change his Address while Being a Convicted Sex Offender.  Anyone with information about where Bobby Lee Minton, Sr. may be located is asked to call 828-632-2911.  Tips may also be submitted anonymously online at www.AlexanderSheriff.org or by calling the Crime Stopper’s Tip Line at 828-632-8555.

In an effort to honor fallen Officer Tim Brackeen, and help his family with financial burdens, the law office of Teddy, Meekins, and Talbert (located in Shelby, NC) is selling blue line ribbons.  The law firm’s goal is to raise $50,000 through the sales of the ribbons and all proceeds will benefit the family of Officer Brackeen.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Law Office of Teddy, Meekins, and Talbert to help out by offering ribbons for sale here locally.  The ribbons may be purchased in the lobby of the Alexander County Law Enforcement Center located at 91 Commercial Park Ln Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.  We are requesting that payment for ribbons will be cash only; sorry no checks.  If you would like more information on this fundraiser or to make a direct donation please call the Law Office of Teddy, Meekins and Talbert at  704-487-1234.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a complaint of vandalism and littering at a local church.  Grace Baptist Church, located at 627 Rink Dam Rd in the Bethlehem community of Alexander County, was the recent target of vandals who threw empty beer bottles and beer cans in the front yard of the church in an apparent protest of the church’s stance against the upcoming alcohol referendum.  The bottles, which bore a printed white label that read “If we can’t have the tax, you can have the trash” were thrown into the yard of the church sometime between the evening of Thursday, October 13th and the morning of Friday October 14th.  Fifteen beer bottles were recovered from the scene and will be processed for any latent evidence, however Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in solving this case as well.  Anyone who has information about this case is asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-1111 or the Alexander County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 828-632-8555.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Sheriff Chris Bowman is sending a group of six officers from his department to assist the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office with disaster relief and patrolling their county which has suffered ext naive damage from recent Hurricane Matthew. The help was offered following a request for assistance through the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association by Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealy.  The group of six officers left for Robeson County at lunchtime on October 19th and will remain in Robeson County until released from duty on the evening of October 23rd.  While there, officers will assist however needed as supplemental manpower on patrol, providing security at relief shelters, and other tasks.  “I am glad to offer assistance from my office”, said Sheriff Chris Bowman, “you never know when we may need to call for assistance ourselves”.  Expenses for the officers will be reimbursed to Alexander County through State and Federal funds.  Robeson County  saw extensive damage and flooding following recent Hurricane Matthew.

Pictured L-R: Dep. Heath Pennell, SGT. Timothy Simms, Dep. Lee Hoyle, Dep. Chase Little, Dep. Jordan Barnes, Dep. Mike Bruce

Sheriff Chris Bowman briefs the group before they depart for Robeson County, NC

Brian Dean Mitchem

On October 18, 2016, 14 Warrants for Breaking and Entering and Larceny were obtained for Brian Dean Mitchem, W/M, age 32 of Statesville.   Mitchem was taken into custody by Alexander County Detectives in Salisbury, NC at a local convenience store on October 20, 2016 at approximately 4:00 PM.  Salisbury Police Department assisted in the arrest.

The first incident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office on October 11, 2016 in the Wittenburg area.

On October 14, 2016, 3 separate incidents in the Bethlehem Community were reported to the Sheriff’s Office.  On October 15, 2016, another incident in the Bethlehem Community was reported to the Sheriff’s Office. On October 17, 2016, 2 more incidents were reported to the Sheriff’s Office.  One was in the Bethlehem Community and one was in the Vashti Community.  Officials were looking for a black Nissan Altima, with Florida plates, and a spare tire on the right passenger tire that Mitchem was driving when he committed these offenses.

When Mitchem was arrested, he was driving a black Nissan Altima with Florida license plates.  Upon his arrest, Salisbury Police Department charged him with Possession of Schedule II and other drug arrests. Mitchem was placed under a $105,000 secured bond.  His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2016 in Alexander County District Court.   Mr. Mitchem is being investigated for similar breaking and entering incidents in surrounding counties.

Lt. Jason Moore and Sgt. David Moose recently visited Ellendale Elementary School for their annual Community Helpers Day.  During the October 19th visit, Lt. Moore and Sgt. Moose spoke to the Kindergarten classes at the school about a variety of safety topics as well as what their job in law enforcement entails.  The students also got a chance to look inside a patrol car and the Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Response truck.  Following the visit, officers were presented a thank you basket to take back to their office.  Sheriff Bowman expressed his gratitude to the school for allowing the time for his officers to visit with the children.  “A sometimes forgotten part of law enforcement work is building community partnerships”, said Sheriff Bowman, “but this is something I encourage my officers to take time to work towards.  These children are the future of Alexander County and it is important for us to start building a positive relationship with them at a young age”.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Alexander County Domestic Violence Advisory Council, has released a new Domestic Violence awareness video.  The video, entitled “Speak Up!  Your Life Matters!”  features various members of the Domestic Violence Advisory Council speaking about the issue of Domestic Violence in Alexander County.  The focus of the video is intended to demonstrate how Domestic Violence is a multi-faceted problem that involves many individuals and agencies.  Too often it seems that victims of Domestic Violence are afraid to seek help because of the fear that things will get worse or no one out there will understand or help.  The video campaign encourages victims, abusers, and bystanders to all speak up if they see, experience, or play a part in domestic violence with a common message that together we can break the cycle.

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.

On Thursday, January 5th, 2017, Investigators from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Alexander County Department of Social Services regarding possible child abuse. Investigators responded to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston Salem. Through an ongoing investigation in conjunction with Medical Staff and DSS, it was learned that the suspect in this case was 22 year old Zachary Elijah PUCKETT, W/M, DOB: 02/22/1994 of Taylorsville. Mr. PUCKETT agreed to come to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. After further investigation and a joint effort with the State Bureau of Investigation, DSS, and Medical Staff from Brenner Children’s Hospital, Mr. PUCKETT was charged with 3 counts of Felony Child Abuse. He was taken into custody and placed under a $750,000.00 Secured Bond. Further investigation also revealed another suspect, 25 year old Summer Brianna LEWIS, W/F, DOB: 07/12/1991, also of Taylorsville. Ms. LEWIS also came to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning in this case. She was subsequently charged with Accessory After the Fact of Felony Child Abuse. She was arrested in Charlotte and brought back to Alexander County where she is in custody under a $75,000.00 Secured Bond. The two victims in this case, ages 7 weeks and 16 months, are in the custody of Alexander County DSS. Both Mr. PUCKETT and Ms. LEWIS are scheduled for their First Appearance on Monday, 01/23/2017 in District Court.

B&E Suspect

On January 18, 2017, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office received 18 reports of Breaking & Entering to Motor Vehicles that occurred in the Bethlehem area, near Greenlea Circle, Hillsboro Rd, and Wittenburg Springs. The incidents occurred in the early morning hours of January 18. Vehicles were both locked and unlocked when entry was made. Items stolen include change, women’s purses, backpacks, etc. Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is asking for any information in reference to these incidents. Attached is a photo of a possible suspect. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking identification of this suspect. Please contact Detective Daniel Millsaps with Alexander County Sheriff’s Office with any information.
(828) 632-1111 EXT 617