Release Date: 03/01/2010

On March 1, 2010 Boone Police Department Investigation Division arrested Mary Elizabeth Sanchez-Landaverde, age 23 of Boone. Sanchez-Landaverde was arrested on three counts of Financial Card Theft and four counts of Financial Card Fraud. Sanchez-Landaverde is alleged to have stolen several credit cards and used them at business around the Boone area. She was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where the conditions of her release were set with a court date of March 29, 2010.

Release Date: 02/26/2010

The Boone Police Department charged a Raleigh man with one count of First Degree Kidnapping and one count of Assault by Strangulation early this morning.

The Boone Police Department received a 911 call from a female stating that she was being held in a vehicle and being transported out of Boone against her will. Boone Police responded to her last known location and began searching for the vehicle with the assistance of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department and NC State Bureau of Investigation. The vehicle was intercepted by Watauga deputies on US Highway 421 in the Deep Gap area, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Further investigation revealed that the victim had been physically assaulted and received some minor injuries, and the suspect was subsequently charged by Boone Police investigators.

The suspect was identified as Brandon Rashad Burkett, age 22 of Raleigh, North Carolina. Burkett was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate who issued a $30,000.00 secured bond for his release. He was then turned over to the Watauga County Detention Center. He has a court date of 03-29-2010 at the Watauga County Courthouse.

Release Date: 02/05/2010

The Boone Police Department charged a Maine native with two counts of financial transaction card theft and three counts of financial transaction card fraud on 02-04-2010.

The man was identified as Shane Wesley Sapiel, age 29. The financial transaction cards were reportedly stolen from a residence and then were used at various businesses in Boone. Sapiel was already in custody at the Watauga County Detention Center from a 01-26-2010 arrest when served with these additional charges. He was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate who issued a $5,000.00 secured bond for his release.

Release Date: 01/22/2010

Boone Police Department arrested John Leon Whittington age 43 of Boone NC on three counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Indecent Liberties with a Child and Habitual Felon charge. Whittington was also served with two counts of Probation Violation.

On the three counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, Whittington went into Tuckers Restaurant in the Boone Mall and Mast General Store and approached the cashier requesting change for large bill into smaller bills. Whittington used a distraction tactic causing the cashiers to become confused so that he could collect the money without giving exchanging any money. The third count occurred at Lowes Home Improvement where Whittington manipulated the bar codes on items in the store where he purchased them at a much lower price than what they were originally price.

The Indecent Liberties with a Child stems from an investigation that was ongoing since the first of December. It was reported that Whittington allegedly had improper behavior with a child and through the investigation information and evidence was gathered that lead to the arrest of Whittington. The Habitual Felon charge came as a result from Whittington’s past criminal history.

Whittington was also served with two probation violation where it was reported that he had violated his probation set forth by Watauga County Superior Court. Whittington was arrested and taken before a Watauga County Magistrate for these charges. He was given three separate secure bonds which totaled $110,000.00 with a court date to appear in Watauga County Court on February 19, 2010.

Release Date: 01/20/2010

A joint investigation between the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of one suspect.

Kristin Ann Peterson, age 29, of 2622 Wacamaw DR. Claremont NC was charged with Solicit for Prostitution, Driving While License was Revoked and Simple Possession of Sch II Narcotics Peterson was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where she was given a $500 secured bond and a February 19, 2010 court date.

The Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit completed an investigations leading to the arrest of;

Tiffany Amanda Auton, age 31, of 121 Zeb St. Boone. Auton was charged with Attempt to Obtain Property by False Pretense and False Report to a Police Station. Auton was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $3,500 secured bond and a February 19, 2010 court date.

Elizabeth Blair Earhart, age 28, of 221 Grier St. Fort Mill SC. Earhart was charged Attempt to Obtain Property by False Pretense. Earhart was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $2,000 secured bond and a March 11, 2010 court date.

Release Date: 01/12/2010

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department has arrested James Luther Guy, age 46 of Boone, in connection with two separate incidents that were reported to the Boone Police Department on December 7^th, 2009.

It was reported that Mr. Guy had taken personal checks from a neighbor and had cashed them in the few weeks prior. It was also reported that Mr. Guy had stolen a 1991 Dodge Dynasty from another neighbor. Mr. Guy was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in McMinn County two days after taking the vehicle and was being held pending extradition for Boone Police.

Once Mr. Guy was transported back to North Carolina, he was brought before the Watauga County Magistrate and served with warrants for 5 counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument (felony), 5 counts of Forgery of Endorsement (felony) and 1 count of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (felony). Mr. Guy was provided a court date of January 22^nd, 2010 and held under a $15,000.00 bond.

Release Date: 01/11/2010

An Elizabethton man has been arrested in connection with a purse snatching.

James Walter Hardin, age 32, was charged with one felony larceny count. The charges result from an investigation into an October 2009 purse snatching in the parking lot of Lowes Food at New Market Center.

Hardin surrendered himself at the Boone Police Department and was taken before a Watauga County magistrate. He was given a $5,000 unsecured bond and a February 19, 2010 court date.

Release Date: 01/07/2010

Boone Police Department arrested Angel Michelle Webb age 30 of Boone on outstanding warrants for her arrest. Ms. Webb was charged with two counts of Possession With the Intent to Manufacture/Sell and Deliver a controlled substance, also with two counts of Sell and Deliver a controlled substance and with one count of Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling House and Place. She was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where she was given a secure bond of $9,000.00. Ms. Webb is scheduled to appear in Watauga County court on February 19, 2010.

Release Date: 12/31/2009

Boone Police officers responded to a burglary report and have made an arrest.

In the late night hours of Tuesday, December 29^th, officers responded to a report of a man forcibly entering a woman’s residence at the Appletree Apartments on South Water Street in Boone. The man had kicked in the door of the apartment and was forcibly removed by the resident. Other apartment residents detained the man outside until officers arrived.

Michael Brian Oday, age 31 of Creston, was arrested and charged with one felony count of burglary, one misdemeanor count of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a law enforcement officer, and one felony count of bringing a controlled substance into a detention facility. Oday was also charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that occurred earlier in the day.

Oday was detained under a $25,000 secured bond with a February 10, 2010 court date.

Release Date: 12/18/2009

In a joint investigation between the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of 1 suspect.

A search warrant was executed on the residence of Everette Lewis Huffman, age 22, of 756 Deck Hill Rd. Huffman was found in possession of approximately 2.4 pounds of marijuana, several pieces of drug paraphernalia and $25, 074 in US currency was seized. Huffman was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Huffman was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $5,000 secured bond and a January 22, 2010 court date.

In a joint investigation between the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, State Bureau of Investigations and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of 2 suspects.

Ivan Quirez Mincilla, age 28, of 173 John Banner Road, Vilas was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine by Possession, Trafficking Methamphetamine by Transporting and Trafficking Methamphatmine by Delivery after being found in possession of approximately 34.8 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine during an undercover narcotics operation. Mincilla was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $50,000 secured bond and a February 10, 2010 court date.

Francisco Arriola Gutierrez, age 28, of 189 Winter Drive, Boone was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine by Possession, Trafficking Methamphetamine by Sale and Trafficking Methamphatmine by Delivery. This was the result of a long-term undercover narcotics operation. Further charges are forthcoming as well as additional suspects being formally charged. Mincilla was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $50,000 secured bond and a February 10, 2010 court date.

Release Date: 11/30/2009

Boone Police officers responded to multiple breaking and entering reports on Sunday morning November 29^th and have made an arrest.

A larceny of candy and snacks from the Wilco station at 1033 East King Street was reported just after midnight on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, a report was received that the front door to the Wilco station at 159 Old East King Street had been broken out. A short time after the second report, another report was received that a number of vehicles at the Mountaineer Village Apartments on Yosef drive had been broken into and that a suspect was nearby.

Officers arrived and took Kevin Curtis Link, age 19, into custody. Link was charged with one felony count of breaking and entering, four felony counts of breaking into vehicles, one felony count of larceny after breaking into vehicles, and one count of misdemeanor larceny.

Link was taken before a Watauga County magistrate and held under a $20,000 secured bond with a January 7, 2010 court date.

Release Date: 11/24/2009

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department report the arrest of Kallen Hollifield Dehart, age 23 of Asheville, NC and Eric Douglas Schneider, age 23 of Marshville, NC. Both Mr. Dehart and Mr. Schneider are step-brothers.

Both Mr. Dehart and Mr. Schneider were charged with the felony offenses of (1) First Degree Burglary, (1) Common Law Robbery and (1) Assault With a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. This is relating to an incident that occurred at AppSouth Apartments on July 26^th, 2009 in which Mr. Dehart and Mr. Schneider forced their way into an apartment occupied by the victim to assault and rob him. The victim and suspects had been engaged in an altercation prior that evening at another location.

Both Mr. Dehart and Mr. Schneider were brought before the Watauga County Magistrate. Bond was set at $5000.00 each with a court date set for December 15^th, 2009.

DeHart Schneider

Release Date: 11/23/2009

At approximately 12:30 AM on Sunday November 22^nd, 2009 officers with the Boone Police Department responded to AppSouth Apartments on Faculty Street in regards to a report of a gunshot victim. Officers arrived; along with Watauga Medics, to find a 19 year old Appalachian State University student that was fatally injured.

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department report the arrest of Galen Elijah “Eli” Ruble, age 20 of Boone, NC.

Mr. Ruble was charged with the felony offense of Involuntary Manslaughter in the negligent shooting death of Jay Franklin Derby on Sunday November 22^nd, 2009. Mr. Derby was in attendance at a gathering at Mr. Ruble’s apartment on Faculty Street that Saturday night into Sunday. During the course of the evening Mr. Ruble brought out a black power primitive hunting style single shot rifle and attempted to discharge a percussion cap in Mr. Derby’s direction to frighten those in attendance. Both Mr. Derby and Mr. Ruble are known to be good friends.

Mr. Ruble was brought before the Watauga County Magistrate and given a court date of December 15^th, 2009 and held under a $10,000.00 bond.

Galen Elijah “Eli” Ruble

Tips to discourage auto break-ins

Lock your car. This one element cannot be stressed enough. Car break-ins where a window is smashed to gain entry are rare. In most cases, a suspect cases an area checking for unlocked car doors. An unlocked car door is an invitation to theft, but a locked car forces the thief to move on. Even if you’re just running into a convenience store for a moment, that’s too long to leave the contents of your car open for the taking. Plus; as some owners discovered this weekend, your car should be locked even in your driveway.

Keep your car tidy. Visible personal items that are visible from the outside might encourage a break-in. A schoolbook bag might be thought of as a laptop case or an empty shopping bag as valuable gifts. While a book bag might not have any monetary value: the loss of records, data and months of work might be lost. Items of value should be locked in the trunk. If you have an SUV or wagon, consider having your vehicle fitted with an inexpensive retractable cover to keep shopping bags and other belongings out of sight. Also, get in the habit of putting shopping bags in the trunk when you first return to your vehicle.

Conceal all evidence of your valuables. Don’t leave any bait out for thieves. Stow all your electronics and accessories out of sight, or better yet; don’t bring them with you. Items in the cab of your car such as I-Pod chargers, cell phone chargers, and suction cup mounts; all are valuable items found within to the car.

If you decide to get a car alarm system, be sure to understand how it works. Often when you leave car windows or sunroof open, the alarm will not sound when a thief reaches in through the gap and open your locks with a coat hanger. Open windows will disable the pressure sensor in some car alarms, thus defeating the purpose of having an alarm system installed.

Park in a highly visible location. Park in busy, well lit areas, and avoid concealment due to larger vehicles, fences or foliage. The greater the chance that someone might see a crime in progress, the less likely a thief will take the risk. Motion lights; an inexpensive addition to most outside home lighting, can have the result of forcing a thief move on to a darker, less noticeable target.

Mark your belongings. Whether in your car or home take the time to record and photograph your valuables. An item with a serial number is much more likely to be recovered than an item that does not. Regardless if an item has a serial number or not, etching your driver’s license number is also a good way to identify your property. Because of identity theft, do not use your Social Security number. Once you’ve photographed and recorded your belongings, save and secure your information in a controlled location. A safety deposit box is better than storing them on the computer that could be stolen. Better still, e-mail the picture and serial number to an internet e-mail account that can be accessed at any computer terminal.

While there is no one answer to reduce car break-ins; being aware and following these simple ideas may make you less of a target for theft. The more you increase your awareness and take preventative action; the more you significantly decrease your risk.

LEAVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Is Your Home Secure?

The Boone Police Department would like to give you some information on how you can make your home or apartment more secure. Last year, approximately 35% of the breaking and enterings in Boone were to personal residences. We at the Boone Police Department are committed to making Boone a safer place to work, attend school and live. The following are what we feel are helpful tips to lessen the chances for homeowners becoming victims:

CHECK THE OUTSIDE

< Thieves hate bright lights. Install outside lights and keep them on at night.

< If you travel, create the illusion that you’re home by getting some timers that will turn lights on and off in different areas of your house throughout the evening. Lights burning 24 hours a day signal an empty house.

< Leave shades, blinds and curtains in normal position. Don’t let your mail or newspapers pile up! Call the post office to stop delivery or have a neighbor pick it up.

< Make a list of your valuables - VCR’s, stereos, computers, jewelry, etc. Take photos of the items and keep serial numbers and descriptions in a safe place.

CHECK THE DOORS

< All outside doors should be metal or wood.

< If doors don’t fit tightly in their frames, install weather stripping around them.

< Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and don’t keep intruders out.

CHECK THE LOCKS

< Make sure every external door has a sturdy, well-stalled dead bolt lock.

< Sliding glass doors can offer east access if they are not properly secured. You can secure them by installing commercially available locks or putting a broomstick or dowel in the inside track.

< Make sure windows have good quality locks that operate correctly.

< Instead of hiding keys around the outside of your home, give an extra key to a neighbor that you trust.

< When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.

CONSIDER AN ALARM

< Alarms can be a good investment, especially if you have many valuables in your home or live in an isolated area or one with a history of break-ins.

< Check with several companies before you buy so you can decide what level of security fits your needs. Do business with an established company and check references before signing a contract.

< Learn how to use your system properly. Don’t “cry wolf” by setting off false alarms.

< Some less expensive options - a sound-detecting socket that plugs into a light fixture and makes the lights flash when it detects certain noises, motion sensing outdoor lights that turn on when someone approaches, or lights with photo cells that turn on when it’s dark and off when it’s light.

BURGLARS DO MORE THAN STEAL

< Burglars may commit violent crimes if they are surprised by someone coming home or if they pick a home that is occupied.

< If something looks questionable (a torn screen, a broken window, open window, etc.) don’t go in. Call the police from a neighbor’s house or public phone.

< Guns are responsible for many accidental deaths in the home every year. Think carefully before buying a gun or keeping weapons in the home. If you do own one, learn how to store it and use it safely.

If you have questions or would like more information on safety or crime prevention, please contact Captain Curtis Main at (828) 268-6900