RRSpin - News

Details: Lance Martin; News; 29 August 2009; 1022

The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following:

•Saturday morning around 7:45 officers received a call of an attempted theft of a vehicle, Chief Jeff Hinton said in a news release. Officers responded to 150 Highway 125 and spoke with the victim who heard "banging" around 3 a.m. but did not report noise. The victim found the steering column on their vehicle was broken and the ignition was pried. The case remains under investigation and damage was about $500.
•A checking station in the 300 block of Madison Street during the day on Saturday led to the arrest of: Donte Anton Peebles, 29, of Roanoke Rapids, for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possess marijuana and possess drug paraphernalia. His bond was $8,000 and his court is Sept. 16. Kelsey Demond Harper, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possess drug paraphernalia, possess with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possess marijuana and maintaining vehicle for distribution of a controlled substance. His bond was $8,000 and his court date is Sept. 16.
•Saturday around 10:30 p.m., Willie Albert Tillery, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested at his residence and charged with: robbery, three counts assault by pointing a gun, assault with a deadly weapon and three counts of communicating threats. He went to jail on $10,000 bond and has an Oct. 14 court date. No further details are available at this time.
•Friday around 11:30 a.m., Tammy Jean Britton, 46, was arrested at her residence in Roanoke Rapids on a fugitive probation violation out of Virginia. She was jailed on $100,000 bond.
•Reports of a shooting at Halifax Regional Medical Center last night are unfounded, Hinton said. “Some gunshot victims from the county came to HRMC for treatment,” he said. “Family members (and others) came with them and HRMC called for officers to come out there and assist with crowd control. A call was given out as a nurse being held hostage. Everything out there is fine.”

Details: Lance Martin; News; 29 August 2009; 1157

A Roanoke Rapids developer has appealed the denial by city council of his zoning request, according to a lawsuit filed in Halifax County Superior Court yesterday.

Council turned down the rezoning request of developer Mike Davis, who owns MTD Investments Inc., at its July 28 meeting. Council accepted the recommendation of the planning board, which recommended it turn down Davis’ request to rezone 6.62 acres of land at the end of Downs Brook Drive to multifamily housing. The decision by council was unanimous.

The lawsuit, filed by Cary Whitaker, a Roanoke attorney, says the rezoning would change the zoning of the property from R-12 to R-3, a lawful use under the city’s zoning ordinance.

“The application complied in every respect with the requirements of the zoning ordinance,” the lawsuit says. “No factual reasons were stated by the Respondents for its failure to make the necessary findings to deny the application and its conclusions are not supported by competent evidence in the record.”

The appeal maintains, “The decision of Respondents was arbitrary and capricious in that the Statement of Consistency with Plans to Amend the Land Use Ordinance had already been distributed. The decision of the City Council was arbitrary and capricious in that adjoining property and property which is of a similar nature has been zoned R-3. The reasons set out in the Statement of Consistency with Plans to Amend Land Use Ordinance for denying petitioner’s application are conclusions not supported by the facts.”

Davis said in an interview yesterday he simply wants the decision overturned. This is the second time the rezoning request was turned down. He said the same request was turned down about three or four years ago.

He said the city’s rejection of the rezoning is costing him untold amounts of money. “I could have had it developed and selling property at the peak of the market. There is no justifiable reason. If it was rezoned I would be building townhouses.”

Demand for townhouses is strong, he said. “They sell good. People are looking for places to live with no maintenance.”

Details: Lance Martin; News; 28 August 2009; 1633

The case of a woman charged with assaulting her husband in the head with a frying pan was continued to Sept. 23, according to court records.

Rosie Lewis was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Lewis, 71, was arrested last week following an Aug. 14 assault which apparently started over the victim not liking what his wife cooked for him.

The assault occurred in the 5000 block of Justice Branch Road in Enfield.

EMS was already on scene treating the victim, James Lewis, 85, for head injuries. Mrs. Lewis was standing outside with EMS as they were treating the victim.

There was an argument earlier in the morning, which is believed to have started over breakfast, when the victim did not like what was cooked for him.

Mrs. Lewis cooked the victim another meal. While this was going on another argument took place and escalated when Mr. Lewis picked up his cane and drew back in an attempt to strike Mrs. Lewis.

Mrs. Lewis picked up an iron frying pan and hit her husband on the head several times, knocking him to the floor and causing a head injury.

The victim was carried to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids where he received 50 stitches.

Mrs. Lewis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and has since been released from jail.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 28 August 2009; 2870

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported the following:

•Yesterday Deputy Roy Viverette arrested Earl McDowell, 20, of Scotland Neck for injury to property. On Aug. 8 an investigation into a car window being busted out in the Scotland Neck area began. During the investigation Detective Jonathan Merritt was contacted because blood was left at the scene. Through a combined investigation, Viverette charged McDowell, who has a Sept. 2 court date. He was jailed on $1,500 bond.

•Today Viverette arrested Quinton Lowe, 23, of the Scotland Neck area with breaking and entering, assault inflicting serious injury, injury to personal property and forcible trespass. The charges stemmed from an investigation that started back on Saturday. The victim told officers he was laying on his couch around 12:03 am when he heard a car pull up in the driveway. The victim told officers his door was kicked in and Lowe asked him for money he allegedly owed him. The victim said he owed Lowe $70 for drugs. Lowe demanded the money immediately and started hitting the victim with his fist in the head and face, also kicking him in the chest with his foot. The victim advised officers he never had a chance to get up from the couch because Lowe was on him so fast. The victim said Lowe told him he would be back the next day to get his money. The victim was able to get down the street to call 911. The victim was treated and released at Our Community Hospital. Lowe was arrested and has a Sept. 2 court date. He was jailed on $ 5,000 bond.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 28 August 2009; 3231

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is looking for Travis Young, 31, of Roanoke Rapids, after a deputy observed suspicious activity in the Carolina Rest Home Road area yesterday.

A vehicle and foot chase ensued.

Further investigation lead to Deputy C.T. Jenkins to obtain warrants for: Felony flee to elude arrest, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to heed to blue light and siren, speeding 90 mph in a 55 mph speed zone, reckless driving and littering.

Young has a lengthy criminal history. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to call Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.