Release Date: 08/30/2010

 

Boone Police Lieutenant Andy Le Beau went to Dublin, OH last week to compete in the 2010 Can-Am Police & Fire Games. These are held at a different location every two years with hundreds of police officers and fire fighters from across Canada and the U.S. who compete against each other in events ranging from golf to ice hockey.

 

Andy Le Beau, who has been with the Town of Boone Police Department since 2002, competed in four bicycling events including: a time trial, criterium, sprint competition, and a road race. Le Beau won metals in 3 of the 4 races. He placed 3rd in the 10 mile time trial completing a 10 mile course in 23:24. He also placed 3rd in the criterium. Andy’s best result though was the gold medal in the sprint competition finishing 1st in the 500 meter sprints.

 

  

 

Release Date: 08/13/2010

 

On Friday August 13 at approximately 8:15 p.m. Boone 911 received a call of a child in distress at the Red Carpet Inn.  Boone Fire, Watauga Medics, and Boone Police were dispatched to find an eight year old male child had fallen into the creek behind the hotel.  The child was found a short time later downstream behind Bojangles.  Attempts to revive the child were not successful and he was pronounced dead at Watauga Medical Center.

 

Release Date: 08/05/2010

 

Boone Police have arrested a local woman on charges related to the presentation of false documents in court.

 

Karen Kluth Shields, age 57 of Vilas, was arrested in court on Wednesday August 4th and charged with one felony count of obstructing justice and one felony count of uttering a forged instrument.  Shields is alleged to have presented forged documents, including a forged judge’s signature, to court officials in support of a court case.

 

Shields was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and a September 1, 2010 court date.

 

 

Release Date: 07/26/2010

 

An investigation by the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Watauga County Special Investigations Unit, the State Bureau Investigations Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led to the suspension of Dr. Benjamin Bradley Fann and Dr. Juan De Virgiilis of Total Health Integrated Services, medical license’s by the North Carolina Medical Board.  During the investigation it was discovered that Dr. De Virgiilis with the assistance of Dr. Fann was authorizing controlled substance for patients without proper DEA privileges. 

 

As of July 2, Dr. De Virgiilis’ medical license is suspended indefinitely; however he may apply for reinstatement in one year.  Fann’s license will be suspended for six months beginning October 1, 2010.

 

Details surrounding this case can be viewed on the North Carolina Medical Board’s website.   www.ncmedboard.org

 

 

Release Date: 07/21/2010

 

Boone Police Department arrested a Boone man on the charges of Forgery and Uttering.

 

Justin Daniel Duthie age 26 of Boone was arrested on 07/20/2010 for 16 counts of Forgery and Uttering.  The charges stem from an investigation alleging that Duthie had stolen some checks and passed them at several local businesses in Boone.  The investigation continues into Duthie’s activities and additional charges including narcotic charges may be forthcoming.

 

Duthie was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where he was given a $10,000.00 secure bond and a court date of 08/20/2010.

 

 

Release Date: 07/19/2010

 

Boone Police have arrested a local man on charges related to fraudulent paving and roofing.

 

George Demetro, age 36 of Boone, was arrested on Saturday July 17th and charged with one felony count of obtain property by false pretense, one misdemeanor count of damage to real property, and one misdemeanor count of breaking or entering.  The charges stem from two incidents in which Demetro is alleged to have sprayed an unidentified substance on a woman’s driveway without authorization and entered another woman’s home without authorization under the guise of inspecting for roofing leaks.

 

Demetro was given a $3,500 secured bond and an August 20, 2010 court date.

 

 

Release Date: 07/09/2010

 

An investigation by the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit /Special Enforcement Team led to the arrest of a Pender County, North Carolina resident. 

 

Nancy Peterson Goff, age 38, of 111 Marlboro Farms Road, Rocky Point, NC was charged with one count of felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense, by attempting to obtain Schedule II prescription pain medication.  Goff was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where she was given a $3,000 secured bond and an August 11, 2010 court date.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

On June 28, 2010 the Boone Police Department Special Enforcement Team “SET” and the Narcotics Unit were conducting surveillance on local businesses that are being used to purchase items to manufacture methamphetamine in a clandestine laboratory when Donald Thomas Stagner was approached by Investigators.  During the investigation, Stagner was found in possession of precursor chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine in a clandestine laboratory in his vehicle.  

 

Donald Thomas Stagner, age 25, of 405 Fritton Spur Rd. Mountain City TN was then charged with Possession of Precursor Chemicals.  Stagner was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where he was given a $3,500 secured bond and a July 23, 2010 court date.

 

On July 2, during a similar surveillance operation, Daniel Eugene Williams and Boyd Curtis Roark were approached by Investigators.  During the investigation, Williams and Roark were found in possession of precursor chemicals and other items used to manufacture methamphetamine in a clandestine laboratory in their vehicles.  

 

Boyd Curtis Roark, age 27, of 326 Eller Hollar, Mountain City TN,  and Don Daniel Eugene Williams, age 32, of 315 Lot #14 Hancock Rd. Mountain City TN were both charged with Possession of Precursor Chemicals.  Roark and Williams were taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where they were given a $5,000 secured bond and an August 20, 2010 court date.

 

                 Stagner                                          Roark                                      Williams

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

An investigation by the Boone Police Department Special Enforcement Team led to the owner/operator of Parthenon Café being charged on July 6, 2010. 

 

Nick J Lainas, age 35, of Vilas, NC was charged on June 20, 2010 with felony assault by strangulation of a female employee of the restaurant.  In an investigation related to that incident, Special Enforcement Team members charged Lainas with one count of sexually explicit conduct on a premise licensed to serve alcohol.

 

Mr. Lainas was given a $3,000 secured bond and an August 21, 2010 court date on the initial assault charge and was issued an August 11, 2010 court date on the subsequent alcohol violation charge. Other violations were uncovered during the investigation and have been submitted to the North Carolina Alcohol Control Commission for review.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Boone Police Department arrested two persons on Thursday July 08, 2010 in connection with a recent Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle.  Jeremy Heath Greene, 29 yrs old, of Laurel Bloomery TN and Chasiti Amber Ward, 28 yrs old, of Laurel Bloomery TN were both served with warrants for Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and Felonious Larceny.

 

Both Mr. Greene and Ms. Ward were given a court date of August 11, 2010.  Both of the suspects were also given $5000.00 secured bonds.

 

 

Release Date: 07/01/2010

 

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department report the arrest of Mr. Billy Moretz, age 28 of Butler, TN, for the felony offense of (1) Possession of a Firearm by Felon.

 

The investigation shows that in March of this year Mr. Moretz is alleged to have presented a rifle for sale at A&S Trade and Loan on West King Street.  The rifle is family owned and it was not used in the commission of any additional crimes.

 

Mr. Moretz was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate and given a court date of August 11, 2010 and held on a $7,500.00 bond.

 

 

Release Date: 06/25/2010

 

On June 24, 2010, the Boone Police Department arrested William Arthur Greene, 23 years old, of Sugar Grove NC on charges stemming from a recent motor vehicle break-in in Boone.  Mr. Greene was picked up in Mountain City, TN and served with warrants for felonious breaking and entering into a motor vehicle and felonious larceny.  Mr. Greene was given a $3000.00 secured bond and has a court date of 07/21/2010. 

 

 

Release Date: 06/16/2010

 

Johnathan Daniel Dunn, age 29, was charged Tuesday with one count of felony financial card fraud.  Dunn is alleged to have used an acquaintance’s ATM card without permission to withdraw over $6,000 in June of 2009.

 

Dunn was detained by Avery County officials at a scheduled court date in Avery County.  He was subsequently transported to Boone where a Watauga County magistrate assigned him a $2,000 secured bond and a July 21, 2010 court date.

 

 

Release Date: 06/03/2010

 

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department report the arrest of Jerryn Alicia Jolly, age 33 from Marion, NC on one count of felony (1) Obtaining Property by False Pretense.   Ms. Jolly is alleged to have made a false deposit to RBC Centura bank in December of 2009.

 

Ms. Jolly was brought before the Watauga County Magistrate and was given a $2000.00 bond and a court date of July 21st, 2010. 

 

 

Release Date: 05/18/2010

 

Boone Police Department arrested 22 year old Kristopher Allen Barr from Boone NC, on one count of Sexual Battery.  Barr is alleged to have assaulted a female on May 5, 2010 in the area of South Depot St. during the evening hours. 

 

Barr was arrested on May 17, 2010 and take before a Watauga County Magistrate was he was given a $1,000.00 secure bond with a court date of June 17, 2010.

 

 

Release Date: 05/13/2010

 

On May 12, 2010 Nicholas David Benton from Carolina Beach NC, was arrested on one count of Felony Breaking and Entering and one count of Felony Larceny.  Benton is alleged to have broken into an apartment within the App South Apartment complex located off of Charlotte Ann Ln.  Benton is also alleged to have stolen the items within the apartment during the break-in.

 

Benton was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where the conditions of his release were set.  He was placed under a $5,000.00 secure bond with a court date of June 17, 2010.

 

 

Release Date: 05/12/2010

 

The Boone Police Department arrested three suspects on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in connection with recent car break-ins. 

 

Brandon Bowles, 26, of Boone was charged with four counts of felonious Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and four counts of felonious Larceny from a Motor Vehicle.  He was also charged with attempted misdemeanor Financial Transaction Card Fraud.  Bowles was booked into the Watauga County Jail under a secured bond of $10,000.00.

 

 

Lea Harmon, 24, of Sugar Grove was charged with felonious Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and felonious Larceny from a Motor Vehicle.  She was also charged with misdemeanor Financial Transaction Card Fraud and misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Property.  Harmon was booked into the Watauga County Jail under a secured bond of $5,000.00.

 

 

Megan Perry, 20, of Boone was charged with felonious Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and felonious Larceny from a Motor Vehicle.  She was also charged with misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Property.  Perry was booked into the Watauga County Jail under a secured bond of $4,000.00

 

 

All three of the arrested subjects share a court date of June 17, 2010.

 

Release Date: 05/10/2010

 

A Sparta man has been charged by Boone Police with filing a false report.

 

Rodney Lee Broman III, age 18, was charged Monday with one count of misdemeanor false report to a police station.  Broman is alleged to have filed a report in March that his debit card had been stolen and used without his permission, when in fact it had not been stolen.

 

Broman was taken before a Watauga County magistrate, and then released on a $500 unsecured bond with a June 1, 2010 court date.

 

 

~~~~~~

 

The Boone Police Department charged three Watauga County men each with one count of breaking and entering, and one count of larceny after breaking and entering.  The three were charged subsequent to an investigation of a break-in to a residence on Tracy Circle in Boone on 04-27-2010. Several items were reported stolen from the residence. 

 

Jacob Benjamin Greene (age 21) of Boone was arrested on 05-04-2010 and was taken before a Watauga County magistrate who issued an $8,000.00 secured bond for his release.

 

 

Logan Parker Light (age 18) of Boone was arrested on 05-06-2010 and was taken before a Watauga County magistrate who issued a $10,000.00 secured bond for his release.

 

 

The third individual charged was a Watauga High School student (age 17) and was arrested on 05-06-2010. The student was also taken before a Watauga County magistrate and received a $5,000.00 secured bond for release.

 

Release Date: 05/06/2010

 

An investigation by the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of two suspects. 

 

Brad Lane Garland, age 31, of 351 Ackerson Creek Road, Mountain City, TN was charged with one count of Felony Possession of Chemical Precursors to Manufacture Methamphetamine and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Garland was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where he was given a $10,000 secured bond and a June 17, 2010 court date.

 

 

Tammy Jerlene Lassiter, age 37, of 556 Hospital Hill Road, Mountain City, TN was charged with one count of Felony Possession of Chemical Precursors to Manufacture Methamphetamine and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lassiter was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where she was given a $10,000 secured bond and a June 17, 2010 court date.

 

 

Release Date: 04/27/2010

 

On April 23, 2010 the Boone Police Department Special Enforcement Team “SET” and the Narcotics Unit was conducting surveillance on local businesses that are being used to purchase items to manufacture methamphetamine in clandestine laboratory when Bobby Wallace was approached by Investigators.  During the investigation, Wallace was found in possession of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in his vehicle.  

 

Bobby Joe Wallace, age 38, 240 Industrial Dr. Mountain City TN was then charged with Possession of Precursor Chemicals and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.   Wallace was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where he was given a $10,000 secured bond and a June 17, 2010 court date.

 

The State Bureau of Investigations Clandestine-Laboratory Response Team was called to assist in the investigation.  Agents and Chemists with S.B.I along with Investigators of the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit removed items commonly used in a methamphetamine laboratory from Wallace’s vehicle.   

 

 

Release Date: 04/16/2010

 

On April 15, 2010 the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit and the State Bureau of Investigations were serving an arrest warrant at the Scottish Inn room #107, when an active clandestine methamphetamine laboratory was discovered. 

 

During the investigation, Jason Thomas Eldred, age 29, of 9055 Elk Creek Rd. Deep Gap NC, was charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Precursor Chemicals, Possession of Sch II Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Eldred was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where he was given a $150,000 secured bond and a June 01, 2010 court date.

 

 

Kelly Lee Tester, age 22, of 900 Laurel Rd. Mountain City TN was charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Precursor Chemicals, Possession of Sch II Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Tester was also served with a Fugitive Warrant for criminal charges that originated from Unicoi County, TN for Burglary, Vandalism, and Theft over $500.00.  Tester was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where she was given a $100,000 secured bond and a June 01, 2010 court date.

 

 

The State Bureau of Investigations Clandestine-Laboratory Response Team arrived to assist in the investigation.  Agents and Chemists with S.B.I along with Investigators of the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit dismantled the methamphetamine laboratory and removed it from the hotel room.

 

Release Date: 04/14/2010

 

An investigation by the Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of two suspects. 

 

Paul Noah Gentry, Jr., age 28, of 197 Deer Run Road, Mountain City, TN was charged with one count of Felony Possession of Chemical Precursors to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Gentry was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where he was given a $10,000 secured bond and a June 1, 2010 court date.

 

 

Burl Malcom Sisk, age 36, of 107 Mary Eleven Circle, Elizabethton, TN was charged with one count of Felony Possession of Chemical Precursors to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Sisk was taken before the Watauga County Magistrate, where she was given a $10,000 secured bond and a June 1, 2010 court date.

 

 

Release Date: 04/13/2010

 

The Boone Police Department is celebrating National Telecommunicators Week during this, the second week of April, 2010.  During 2009, the Town of Boone’s Telecommunicators answered over 7,488 911 and 54,713 non-emergency telephone calls and dispatched over 23,000 calls for police, fire, and EMS service. 

 

Telecommunicators for the Town are highly trained and participate in regular in-service trainings, emergency medical dispatch training, various recertification and competency tests, and attend professional conferences.  The Town of Boone’s six Telecommunicators are Brenda Brittain, Chad Cole, Marc Lusk, Joyce Rash, Jon Houck, and Bridget Kleine.  They are supervised by Communications and Records Supervisor Wanda Smith.

 

For more information about the Communications Center or its Telecommunicators, please contact Wanda Smith, (828)268-6904.

 

Release Date: 04/08/2010

 

On April 7, 2010 Officers with the Boone Police Department along with ASU Police Department arrested Cody Wayland Kelly, age 30 of Sugar Grove NC.  Kelly was arrested on one count of Attempted Common Law Robbery that occurred at Ink Link Tattoo located at 487 West King Street.

 

Kelly is alleged to have entered the business around 9:30 pm with his hand behind his back as if he was going to pull out a weapon.  He demanded that the employees give him the money out of the cash register.  Kelly was apprehended shortly after the incident at the Appalcart stop at the corner of Howard St. and College St. after he assaulted an Appalcart driver. 

 

Kelly was then taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where he was served with the warrant of Attempted Common Law Robbery.  Kelly was also served with three additional warrants that had been issued for his arrested.  He was served with warrants for Assault and Battery, Assault on a Female, and Communicating Threats.  Kelly was given a $7,000.00 secure bond with court dates of May 5 and May 12 of 2010.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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