Scam

Phone scammers claim to be from your local power company.

They pretend they’re calling to let you know your account is delinquent and unless you pay right away the service will be disconnected.

The scammers often use spoofing technology that makes your caller ID display the name and phone number of the local utility.

The victim reported that the business was called twice within a few minutes, with one claiming to be Duke Energy and the other claiming to be Dominion Power.

Duke Energy received so many reports about these deceptive phone calls in its service territory that it has launched a public awareness campaign.

It includes radio commercials, a message on billing statements, social media outreach, plus a fraud alert email sent to both residential and small business customers, which can be found at this link.

If someone calls you claiming there’s a problem with your account and requests money or personal information from you, don’t give out any personal information or financial information.

If you have a question about your utility account, contact the company at a number or website you know to be valid, such as one listed on your bill.

Citizens can report possible scams to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or filing a complaint online at www.ncdoj.gov or they can contact their local law enforcement agency.

February 13

Around noon Officer Patrick Smith responded to JC Penney on East 10th Street for a larceny.

Smith spoke with the loss prevention officer and learned that an employee was allegedly stealing money.

Smith arrested and charged Chavaz Lakuan Devon Weaver, 22, of Roanoke Rapids with larceny by employee.

Weaver was given a $3,000 bond and a court date of March 11.

Weaver was allegedly taking cash from the register that he was working.

Around 11:30 p.m., Lieutenant Perry Parks checked on a vehicle at Highway 158 and Spring Street after it pulled over to the side of the road.

During the interaction with Ruby McPherson Duckett, 64. of Roanoke Rapids, Parks noticed a small bag of marijuana inside the vehicle.

Parks cited Duckett for possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Around midnight, Officer Mark Oakley checked on suspicious activity in a parking lot.

During the investigation Oakley found Kendal Avery Long, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, in possession of marijuana.

Officer Oakley cited Long for possession of schedule VI.

February 14

Around 9 a.m., officers responded to Washington Street for a domestic assault.

Sergeant Richard White and officers Ryan Cross and Matt Hunsucker went to the residence to investigate.

During the investigation the victim had injuries to the face.

When they went to arrest Angus Scott Glasgow, 38, of Roanoke Rapids for assaulting the victim he resisted the officers’ attempts to handcuff him.

After Glasgow was taken into custody he was charged with assault on a female and resisting arrest. Glasgow was jailed without bond because of the domestic charge.

He has a March 13 court date.

Around 4 p.m. Master Officer Chris Babb conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for speeding.

When the vehicle came to a stop at a residence on Jefferson Street, Babb spoke with the driver, Harold Lee Horton, 50, of Halifax.

During the interaction with Horton, an open container of alcohol and marijuana were found.

Babb also learned that the residence that Horton had pulled into was an address he was not supposed to be at because of a domestic violence protection order.

Horton was arrested and charged with speeding, possession of schedule VI, open container and violation of a domestic violence protective order.

Horton was jailed without bond because of the domestic order violation and he was given a March 13 court date.

Around 6:30 p.m., Cross and Hunsucker went to Presto to investigate a larceny.

Stafford Sequoia Daniels Jr., 33, of Roanoke Rapids was located outside of the store.

The property that was stolen was located on Daniels and he was charged with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Daniels was given a $500 bond and a court date of March 13.

Around 10 p.m., Officer Adam Salmon responded to Applebee’s for a larceny.

Salmon spoke with the manager and learned Lachera Shontel Banks, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, left the restaurant without paying for her meal.

Salmon arrested and charged Banks with defrauding an innkeeper.

Banks was given a $500 bond and a March 20 court date.

February 15

Around 1 p.m., Babb and Smith went to a complaint of drug activity at an apartment in Fairfield Apartments.

During the course of the investigation the officers came in contact with the occupants of the apartment where the activity was allegedly going on.

Officers found a small amount of marijuana inside the apartment.

Babb then applied for a search warrant of the residence to continue the search where more marijuana was found along with drug paraphernalia.

Babb arrested and charged Michael Mills Jr., 24, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule VI control substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mills was given a $10,000 bond and a March 11 court date.