Photos by: Kendall Heath
The sun was shining most of the day Wednesday, February 8th, but it didn’t stop an accident from happening in White Oak, North Carolina. According to officials on the scene, a hog truck collided with a log truck head on causing the road to be shut down on both ends of Gum Springs Road in White Oak.
There were no injuries reported. Ammon fire department and the highway patrol we’re both assisting with the wreckage.
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Bladen County has experienced its first motor vehicle fatality of 2017 when the driver of a motorcycle was killed in a crash on Sunday afternoon. Daniel Christopher Walters, 46, of Mears Road, Clarkton, lost his life when his 2002 Harley Davidson crossed the center line and struck a transfer truck head-on, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
The crash ocurred on US 701 near Taylor Manufacturing at about 4:22 p.m. according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol. James Ladell Baker of Dunn was driving a Waccamaw Transport truck south on US 701 and Walters was traveling north on US 701 on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Walters crossed the center line and struck the transport truck head-on and was ejected from the motorcycle.
The crash was investigated by Trooper A. Russ.
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On Monday, February 13, 2017, at around 3:15 pm, William Indiana Jones and James Dean Jones were outside of their residence on Pinewood Lane in Whiteville walking their dogs. Their father went outside around 4 pm to check on his sons and could not locate them. They were last seen near Soles Road and Hallsboro Road, South in Whiteville.
William is a 16 year old white, male approximately 5’10” and weighs 165 pounds. James is a 15 year old white, male approximately 5’08” and weighs 145 pounds. Both William and James have blonde hair and blue eyes. The boys were last seen wearing summer clothing attire. The pit bull mix puppies they were walking are described as one being black with a white star on its chest and the other is black and white.
If you have information on the whereabouts of William and James Jones, please contact Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at 910-642-6551.
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Contributed photos
A fight that broke out in the Bladen County Jail on Tuesday, February 13, 2017, resulted in one person being transported to the hospital for treatment.
Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Larry Guyton said that at about 12:30 a.m. Jamie Harold Nance, 33, of Bladenboro, was arrested for communicating threats, harassing phone calls, domestic criminal trespass, violating a domestic violence protective order and he also had a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in court in Robeson County.
“He was booked into the jail and placed in a group cell,” said Guyton. He said Nance was sharing a cell with two other men — Marcus Jermil Blake, 33, of 111 Ranch Circle, Kelly, and David Wilson Gilchrist, 22, of 208 David Street, Elizabethtown.
Guyton said Nance had not been in the cell for more than about 10 minutes when the jailer watching the cameras saw a fight start in Nance’s cell. Guyton said she alerted two other jailers who went back to the cell and removed Nance.
Guyton said Nance was bleeding from the head where he had struck his head on a bunk. Blake and Gilchrist are both charged with assault inflicting serious injury.
Guyton said the cause of the fight is unknown at this time. “None of the three would cooperate with the investigators. Nance would not say what the fight was about, neither would the other two. We do know that Nance was being verbally abusive with the jailers when he was booked,” said Guyton.
When asked if any type of a weapon was involved, Guyton said no. He said it was a fist fight and Nance fell and struck his head on the edge of one of the bunk beds in the cell. “He was transported and treated for that,” said Guyton. He said, once Nance was returned to the jail, he was not placed back into that particular cell.
When asked about housing inmates together, Guyton said the county tries to keep inmates that have “bad blood between them” or if they have gang affiliations that have conflicts separated. He said in this situation, there was no known conflict between the three men until the fight erupted.
“We’ve got some isolation cells, but we use them for suicide risks or disciplinary reasons or for a higher risk like a murder suspect,” said Guyton.
Currently, the Bladen County Jail is about 52 years old and has 65 cells. The group cells can hold up to 8 people, said Guyton. The new jail will have 270 cells that will hold either two men or one man. When the jail reaches capacity, it costs an average of $50 per day to house someone at another facility.
Guyton estimated that an emergency room visit costs a minimum of about $200, then with the added costs of stitches and x-rays, it could push the bill for treatment of injuries to $500. “Medical expenses in the jail are the largest expense we have. As long as they are in our custody, we’re responsible for their care,” said Guyton.
He said the county does everything it can to prevent incidents like this from occurring, but when you place that many people in one place for a long period of time, someone is going to become agitated with a fellow inmate at some point.
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Sheriff James A. McVicker announced today the seizure of ten weapons from known gang members in both Bladen and Robeson counties.
“The Bladen County Narcotics Unit has worked several weeks now with the Wilmington office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to recover weapons from known gang members,” said McVicker. My investigators developed a cooperating witness who helped identify a group of young men who were dealing in stolen and illegal weapons. Through this individual we were able to recover five rifles, three shotguns and two handguns. Some of these weapons were stolen and some used in the commission of crimes.”
McVicker said the investigation is continuing and he believes more illegal weapons will be collected and taken out of the hands of criminals in the near future.
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According to UNCWilmington Facebook page there was an erroneous alert issued earlier today about shots fired on the campus. The post on the school’s official Facebook page said, “An all-clear text message has been issued to faculty, staff and students via UNCWAlert, but in case it has not yet reached you, please be assured that there were no shots fired on our campus this morning.”
The post also said, “We are looking into how the erroneous alert was issued and we apologize for this unfortunate error and the undue alarm it caused.”
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Someone impersonating a law enforcement officer stopped a vehicle operated by a Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy’s son this weekend near Ammon. According to reports, the man told the victim that he was a law enforcement officer but did not have any credentials.
The incident is alleged to have happened on Gum Springs Road. According to reports, the man is described as being in his mid-40s with some facial hair and driving a gray older model Crown Victoria with a blue light on the dash. The victim was unable to get a tag number.
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RALEIGH – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces that a Criminal Complaint was filed against GARRETT GRIMSLEY, age 27, of Cary, charging him with Transmitting a Threat in Interstate Commerce to Injure the Person of Another. GRIMSLEY appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers, II today for his initial appearance.
According to the affidavit filed with the Criminal Complaint, on February 19, 2017, GRIMSLEY posted an online public message stating “don’t go to Cary tomorrow.” In a subsequent private message conversation, GRIMSLEY told a cooperating witness: “For too long the kuffar [non-Muslims] have spit in our faces and trampled our rights. This cannot continue. I cannot speak of anything. Say your dua [prayers], sleep, and watch the news tomorrow. It will only be the beginning . . .”
According to the affidavit, law enforcement officers identified GRIMSLEY’s apartment in Cary as the location from which the messages were sent. A search warrant executed at the apartment resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle, four 30-round magazines, and approximately 340 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition.
If convicted, the maximum penalty for this offense is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
The charge and allegations contained in the Criminal Complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cary Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
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A crash on Tuesday evening at the intersection of NC 410 and Pleasant Grove Church Road resulted in charges against both drivers. The crash, which ocurred at about 8:30 p.m., sent the occupants of both vehicles to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
According to the Highway Patrol, David Shelton Blackmon of Bladenboro was driving west on Pleasant Grove Church Road and Amy Lynn Dicicco of Dublin was driving north on NC 410. Blackmon failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of NC 410 and Pleasant Grove Church Road while he was attempting to make a left turn onto NC 410. Dicicco drove left fo center in an attempt to avoid the collision. Dicicco’s vehicle collided with Blackmon’s vehicle in the intersection. After impact, Blackmon’s vehicle ran off the road to the right and came to rest in a paved area. Dicicco’s vehicle ran off the road to the left and came to final rest in the paved area, according to the Highway Patrol.
Dicicco’s vehicle was also occupied by two juveniles and Robert Lambert of Dublin, according to the report.
Following the crash, Blackmon was transported by Bladen County EMS to Southeastern Regional Medical Center and Dicicco and her passengers were transported to Bladen County Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Dicicco was charged with no insurance and Blackmon was charged with a stop sign violation. Trooper J. P. Weissinger investigated the crash.
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Twasjay Roddreek Brown was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday in Bladen County Superior Court.
Brown, 23, of Elizabethtown, also was found guilty of discharging a weapon into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon in the shooting death of Malcolm Jerome Melvin, 23, in October 2014, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Brown was one of two men charged in Melvin’s murder that happened Oct. 28, 2014 at a mobile home on Sammy Lane in a park off N.C. 242 south of Elizabethtown, officials said. Melvin’s girlfriend and a child were in the home at the time of the shooting, but were not injured, according to the 911 call. Melvin was shot in the head shortly before 2:30 a.m. when he opened his front door, according to authorities.
Ernest Raysean Gray of Clarkton also has been charged in the murder. His trial tentatively is scheduled in March.
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Michael Anthony Rice, 52, of Elizabethtown, was arrested on Sunday and charged with several offenses.
Rice faces charges of felony possession of schedule II controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia, having an open container after consuming alcohol, and failure to appear on misdemeanor.
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The U.S. Marshals Service is warning the public today of a telephone scam involving a fraudulent caller contacting members of the public and alleging they, or their family members, have an active federal arrest warrant and demanding payment of fines.
Recently, there were reported attempts of a fraudulent caller who identified himself as a Deputy United States Marshal. This phony law enforcement officer informed the potential victims that warrants were being issued for them or their family member due to being absent from a federal grand jury they were previously summoned to appear before. The potential victims were then informed they could avoid arrest by paying a fine by electronic fund transfer or cashier’s check. The Marshals Service became aware of the scam after receiving information from several calls from alert citizens.
The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency and does not seek payment of fines or fees via the telephone for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.
The U.S. Marshals Service urges individuals not to divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers and highly recommends the public report similar crimes to the FBI or their local police office if they are the victims of fraud. For internet related fraud, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center can be contacted at www.ic3.gov?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.
Share:The Elizabethtown Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect. On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, a black male entered the Tractor Supply Store in Elizabethtown and stole a pressure washer valued at $640.
If you can identify the person in the photos or have any information regarding the incident, you are asked to please call the Elizabethtown Police Department at 910-862-3125.
Share:Sheriff James A. McVicker is warning residents of a possible scam that has started in this area.
“On Wednesday, March 8th, a group of men driving a gray pickup and a large white truck with gravel approached a residence and told the older man there that they had some gravel left over from a job nearby and offered to give it to him to help the community, McVicker said.
“After they started spreading the gravel they presented him with a bill for $4,000.00. He told them he did not have that and they finally said they would do it for $500.00 or he could make payments. The man called his son who is a law enforcement officer and his son said he would come talk to them. When given this information, the men loaded up their truck and left.”
“This is a variation on a flim-flam that seems to come around in the spring of the year,” said McVicker. There is a group from around Augusta Georgia/South Carolina who make their living going around offering to paint barn roofs or seal driveways. Once they do the work, with inferior paint or sealant, they want to charge exorbitant prices. They also try to gain entry to the home to steal small items of jewelry or money. This is the first time I have heard of them offering to gravel a driveway but it is just a variation on an old scam we see come around every spring.”
McVicker urged all homeowners to be aware of this type of scam and not to fall for it. Look for out of state tags on the vehicles and get the tag number and a vehicle description if you can safely do so. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
Share:Bladenonline.com’s roundtable discussions on the opioid epidemic continue this week with Bladen County Health and Human Services Director David Howard.
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The Elizabethtown Police Department has obtained five new radar guns at no cost to the town through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Lt. Mark McMichael said the way the program works is the department can earn points towards certain approved items through doing such things as traffic checks and other types of activities such as Booze It and Lose It.
Lt. McMichael said that by going out and doing these things, the department receives credit towards the program. He said the program has a list of items the program has approved for traffic safety the department can utilize the points to obtain.
Lt. McMichael said a radar gun can cost as much as $2,500. In this case the department was able to use about 10,000 points they had earned to receive the radar equipment. He said the radar equipment is just one of the many tools the department has at its disposal to assist officers on the job.
“We are trying to encourage safety on the roadways and to enforce the law,” said Lt. McMichael.
The next step will be for the officers to take part in a training class and receive state certification using the new units.
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Two Bladen County residents were arrested by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and charged with breaking and entering on Tuesday night.
Kevin Acosta, 28, was arrested and charged with felony conspiracy, felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen goods/property.
Nataly Sanz, 19, was arrested and charged with felony conspiracy, felony breaking and entering and felony possession of stolen goods/property.
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RALEIGH – St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s biggest times to celebrate and party. But unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking alcohol, making the holiday also one of our most dangerous.
The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the Department of Transportation are launching the annual St. Patrick’s Day Booze It & Lose It campaign, which runs from March 16 to 19. The campaign reminds drivers that there is no luck involved, if you drink and drive, you could pay serious consequences.
During the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), nine people died in drunk driving crashes across North Carolina.
“These needless deaths could have been prevented,” said Don Nail, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Planning to have a sober driver before you take a sip of green beer is the first step in staying safe on St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t wait until you’ve already been drinking to make your transportation decision. Designate your sober driver in advance, and never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.”
State law makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
The mission of the Booze It & Lose It campaign aligns closely with the NC Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related injuries and fatalities through coordinated efforts with public and private partners in traffic safety.
Thousands of North Carolinians have taken the pledge to practice safe driving habits. Join them and find out more at http://ncvisionzero.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.
NCDOT and GHSP recommend following these simple tips for a safe St. Patrick’s celebration if you plan to drink:
• Before you head out to a parade, party, or local pub, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night. Visit BeSmarterThanThat.com and designate a sober driver, download a ride app, check on public transportation availability or program a taxi number into your mobile phone.
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to get you home.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement immediately.
• If you know someone who has been drinking and is about to drive, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.
Join state and local law enforcement officers across the state to promote safety and keep impaired drivers off the roads to make sure that no lives are lost at the hands of impaired drivers this St. Patrick’s holiday.
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