Christopher Paul Stanfield, 44, was served warrants Monday for three counts of obtaining property by false pretense and three counts of larceny by employee.

Investigator Obert Wiltsie of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said the latest counts against Stanfield involve him allegedly using a company credit to purchase gas for his own use.

Stanfield had been the maintenance attendant at River Towne Manor on West Becker Drive before he was charged in June with numerous counts related to break-ins and thefts of pills at the facility.

Wiltsie said the charges filed Monday are related to the original investigation.

Stanfield received a $10,000 bond and November 1 court date.

He has an October 30 court on the original counts.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said there was reason to believe the driver, Tiffany Nicole Lee, 21, was allegedly under the influence of an opioid when the crash occurred around 7 p.m.

In a statement Hasty said Lieutenant Charles Burnette responded to a call of an erratic driver heading west on Seventh Street.

When Burnette located the vehicle he and other officers found Lee unresponsive and a newborn inside.

The report is unclear whether Lee was the child’s mother.

The passenger window was broken so responders could get inside the vehicle.

EMS and firefighters administered Narcan to Lee. She declined further medical treatment after she came to.

Lee was arrested and charged with driving while impaired and child endangerment.

She received a $5,000 bond and December 1 court date.

Sergeant M. Peck, Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer Joey Spragins assisted.

Identity theft

On Monday at approximately noon, Lieutenant C.L. Vaught arrested and charged Cynthia Marie Tillery, 38, of Cockeysville, Maryland, on outstanding warrants for identity theft and obtaining property by a false pretense after she was extradited from Sussex County, Virginia.

She received a $5,000 bond and November 1 court date in Halifax County.

The charges stem from an investigation into a report filed in December of 2014.

The victim reported Tillery allegedly used their information to obtain electrical service and then failed to pay the bill.

Tillery was arrested by Virginia State Police on October 9 in Sussex County.

“We averaged four or five yesterday,” Captain Bobby Martin said. “To me that’s high. The majority are left unlocked.’

The break-ins were reported across the city, he said, ranging from Old Farm Road and Becker Drive to Roanoke Avenue.

There was one larceny of a vehicle in which the keys were left inside.

People have left weapons in their unlocked vehicles as well, Martin said.

In a statement on the break-ins Martin said, “We are asking the citizens to take the time to lock your car doors to prevent items being stolen from your vehicle. There are a few things we can do to prevent your car from being broken into.”

The police department advises the following:

Protect your belongings:

Most car break-ins occur because someone has left something of value in their car. You can prevent most car break-ins by keeping your valuables and belongings out of sight. You want to make your possessions as unnoticeable as possible so thieves will move on. Lock your doors.

Remove all belongings from the car:

Take your valuables with you instead of leaving them in your car when you park. If you don’t give a thief anything to go after they will move on. If your belongings are visible, it dramatically increases the likelihood a thief will target your car.

Electronic items, duffel bags, purses and shopping bags left in your car will definitely draw attention to those who pass by.

Whether you are stepping away from your vehicle for just a minute or parking for several hours doesn’t make a difference. It only takes a thief a couple of seconds to smash a window or enter an unlocked vehicle and grab your belongings.

Hide your valuables well in your car:

If your valuables are not in plain sight, a thief will probably pass your vehicle by.

Put small items in the glove box or console so they are out of sight. Put larger items in the trunk so thieves can’t see them.

Do not leave money in your car:

Do not leave loose change, wallets, or credit cards on the dashboard or in cup holders. Leaving change and wallets in the vehicle is an invitation to a thief. If a thief is able to steal your wallet with your credit cards, not only can there be significant financial repercussions, there can be identity theft involved which can trouble you for years.

Do not leave Weapons in your vehicle:

Do not leave any type of weapon in your vehicle. Thieves are looking for money and guns most of the time when they break into vehicles. If you carry a weapon in your vehicle, take it with you when you go inside for the night.

“These are just a few things we can do to help slow down vehicle break-ins. Remember a thief is looking for an easy target, so let’s lock our doors and keep valuables out of sight,” Martin said in the statement. “If you see someone walking late at night and you believe it’s suspicious then call for an officer to come and check that person out. You never know, you could be preventing a theft.”

Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle told the panel the program is not included for funding in the upcoming fiscal year federal budget. “If the federal credits are eliminated, state tax credits will also be eliminated.”

State historic tax credits legislation is written as a piggyback credit to the federal program, she said.

Since 1981, the credit has leveraged more than $131 billion in private investment, created more than 2.4 million jobs and preserved more than 42,000 historic buildings “that form the fabric of our nation.”

The program has been used successfully in Weldon.

(A fact sheet on the tax credit program is included as a PDF at the end of this story)

In Roanoke Rapids, which has the second largest historic district in the state, there are 1,163 contributing historic properties which could be eligible for federal and state historic tax credits. “These credits are a valuable economic development tool as many projects become financially feasible with use of these tax credits,” Caudle said.

Under the current program, properties deemed income-producing are eligible for a total of 40 percent in historic tax credits — 20 percent federal, 15 percent state and a 5 percent bonus for a Tier 1 county. Non-income producing properties are eligible for a 15 percent historic tax credit.

In a resolution which was unanimously adopted by council, the document notes, “ … the Roanoke Rapids City Council supports the efforts of the city’s Main Street program that advocates for utilizing uptown and downtown Roanoke Rapids historic buildings as a catalyst for economic development.”

A healthy, vibrant downtown “makes all of the economic development initiatives in the community easier to achieve,” the resolution says. “Many private investors have made significant investments in the community by investing in older, often vacant buildings.”

Says the resolution: “ … Roanoke Rapids City Council understands the importance and wealth of historic structures that offer unique opportunities by differentiating Roanoke Rapids from other communities and … (the) Roanoke Rapids Historic District may benefit from large and small historic preservation tax credit projects that could increase our tax base.”

Federal historic preservation tax credits could make otherwise unsuccessful projects an enormous success “and benefit to our community.”

The document, which is to be sent to the local federal legislative delegation and other partners involved in historic preservation projects, encourages the inclusion of the tax credits in the proposed 2017-18 federal budget.

Councilman Carl Ferebee said he would also present the resolution to the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

Caudle said North Carolina Downtown Development is doing lobbying on the state level. “A lot of things on the state level are occurring,” she said.

City manager bonus

In another matter this evening, council, after a closed session, agreed to give City Manager Joseph Scherer a $5,000 bonus.

The bonus was based on the city manager’s last evaluation. “I’m very honored council placed confidence and trust in me to manage the city’s administration,” he said.

Scherer is in his fifth year as city manager.

Following a song by the school choir, pink balloons were released.

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Tuesday, the Roanoke Rapids Board of Trustees and district leaders got their first official tour of the new school before the regular monthly board meeting.  

The 96,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open for students following winter break on January 2.  

Board members were pleased with the progress.

Superintendent Dain Butler said, “It’s obviously a very well-built, gorgeous facility. From what I’ve seen tonight, I’m confident we will open on time. The district is grateful to our county commissioners.”

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In other items, the board received a report from Adam Scepurek, CPA with Anderson Smith & Wike.  

Auditors found no material weaknesses, deficiencies, misstatements or disagreements over accounting issues giving the district a clean audit following its annual review.  

The board also recognized all its principals as part of National Principal Month and Clara Hearne Pre-K teacher Jennifer Neathery as the 2017 Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence.  

Neathery will go on to represent the district at the annual state Exceptional Children’s Conference in Greensboro in November.

On Tuesday, following an investigation which began September 27, detective R.M. Brown charged Diane Medina, 38, of Roanoke Rapids, with felony neglect of a child causing serious bodily injury.

Hall declined to discuss how the child was neglected. He did confirm the child was 4-years-old but declined to disclose gender.

It was not immediately clear how the child had been neglected before their condition was reported through medical facilities and an investigation was launched by social services and the sheriff’s office.

Medina posted a $3,000 bond and has a November 15 court date.

The child continues to recover at a undisclosed medical facility.

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On October 13 shortly after 11 p.m., Sergeant J.R. Matthews stopped a Ford Explorer on West Tenth Street for an expired registration plate.

The driver, who was later identified as Solomon Thomas Johnston, 46, of Roanoke Rapids, was an absconder from probation and parole. He also had two orders for his arrest outstanding.

Johnston provided Matthews a false name during the encounter.

Further investigation led to Matthews discovering Johnston’s identity along with marijuana and cocaine.

Johnston was taken to the sheriff’s office where he was charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, resisting a public officer and driving with a revoked license. He was later placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $6,000 secured bond and a November 1 court date pending.

On September 26, the sheriff’s office responded to a residence in the West Tenth Street area of Roanoke Rapids regarding a breaking and entering.

Investigation by Detective R.B. Biggerstaff led to warrants being obtained on Andrew Hardin, 29, of Roanoke Rapids.

Hardin was arrested Monday and charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods, and injury to real property.

He received a $7,000 secured bond and November 8 court date.

The officers of the quarter were Lieutenant Charles Vaught, Detective Gorton Williams, Officer Joe DeSare and Master Officer Jamie Hardy.

“Lieutenant Vaught has been doing a great job in directing CID in the right direction and assisting with cases as well,” Hasty said.

Over the last three months Vaught handled more than 33 cases including six child-related matters, a suicide, two assaults, a robbery and a missing person. He handled 11 larcenies and 11 other cases. “Lieutenant Vaught has been able to close 24 cases with seven resulting in arrests. He completed all this while attending Tedi Bear (Children’s Advocacy Center) appointments (in Greenville) as well as handling his supervisory duties in CID assigning cases and contacting victims.”

Williams, Hasty said, has handled 30 cases over the last three months which have included two involving children, three breaking, entering and larceny matters, nine larcenies, seven fraud cases, one assault and seven other cases ranging from theft to forgery. “Detective Williams has closed 22 cases and 10 were with arrests. Detective Williams has displayed a very unselfish work ethic as he is willing to step up and take a case without being asked to do so. Detective Williams takes pride in the quality of cases he turns into the district attorney’s office, which makes prosecution easy.”

Hardy was recently promoted to master officer and he and DeSare consistently lead the department in felony arrests, and drug and gun seizures.

Assisting family

Hasty also noted Vaught and Williams assisted a family of four this summer when they were unable to afford a room. “It was at least 100 degrees outside and the family had no money and nowhere to go. Lieutenant Vaught and Detective Williams saw to it they had a room at Fairfax Motel by paying for it with their money and not asking for anything in return. This display of compassion is something that is not taught but comes with human nature. I would like to make sure they are recognized for this awesome display of human kindness during our nation’s struggle with coming together as one.”

Williams told council he had an offer to go to another department but decided to stay. “This is my family.”

Williams recounted how when he was asked by former Chief Greg Lawson where he saw himself in the future, “I told him I plan to sit where you’re sitting at.”

Hasty and Hagbourne

New officer

Hasty also recognized Clarice Hagbourne as the department’s newest officer.

Growing up in Ahoskie, she is a Hertford County High School graduate and later attended Halifax Community College where she obtained her basic law enforcement training certificate.

She began her career in 2010 with the Woodland Police Department and has worked with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough Police Department and North Carolina Central University Police Department.

She received her intermediate certificate through North Carolina Criminal Justice and Training Standards and was certified as a traffic enforcement specialist in 2014.

Kunta Kinte Shearin was a passenger in a vehicle in which the driver was stopped for a traffic violation around 1:45 p.m. on Highway 301 near East Second Street.

City County Drug Task Force Captain A.M. Harris said in a statement Shearin had something in his mouth.

With assistance from Corporal Phillip Moyer and Deputy Christian Carman of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Shearin, 39, of Roanoke Rapids, was asked to step out of the vehicle.

Harris gave Shearin several commands to spit the substance, later identified to be crack cocaine, out. After trying to swallow it several times, he eventually spit the 2.7 grams of crack onto the hood of a patrol car.

He was also found in possession of a Chore Boy scouring pad which is used to form a filter in homemade crack pipes and a steel rod as well.

Shearin was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.

He has a November 15 court date.

In 2015 he attempted to swallow but eventually spit out a golf ball size amount of crack containing 14.4 grams.

The driver, Bryant Harrison, was cited for not being licensed as a driver and has a December 4 court date.

“We’re going to follow leads and see if they are connected,” Chief Chuck Hasty said.

The vehicle break-in was reported by the homeowner around 9:30 p.m. after they noticed an interior light on.

When the homeowner, who lives in the 800 block of Halifax Street, stepped outside, one suspect was inside the vehicle. When the homeowner yelled, the person ran off.

Hasty said the homeowner provided a good description and Master Officer J. Hardy and his dog, Storm, along with Officer S. Blythe set up a track.

Two people, including 16-year-old Ramon Luis Rodriguez, of Roanoke Rapids, ran and split up.

Officers set up a perimeter and Sergeant M. Moseley found Rodriguez in the area where the track led him.

Rodriguez was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny, possession of stolen goods, resist, delay and obstruct and was cited for possession of marijuana.

He received a $5,000 bond and November 1 court date.

Hasty said change was taken from the vehicle.

The investigation also led officers to locate two people wanted on outstanding warrants who were in the area at the time.

Al Randolph Thomas Jr., 25, of Murfreesboro, had an outstanding order for arrest and was found in possession marijuana.

He received a $1,500 bond and October 25 court date.

Donovan Demetree Edwards, 22, of Littleton, was arrested on outstanding warrants for felonious restraint, assault on a female, communicating threats and trespassing.

He was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a November 8 court date.

His charges stem from a report Tuesday he allegedly assaulted a victim. He then made the victim get in a vehicle and drive to another location.

Lieutenant B. Norton, Investigator J.K. Davis and officers A. Green and C. Fortier assisted.

The chamber sent out a press release on the matter dated Wednesday, but a letter Jim Trzinski sent to the board gives more detail to the reasoning behind his decision to step down.

Trzinski came onboard as chamber president in March. He tendered his resignation Wednesday, according to the statement by Charles Guerry, chair of the chamber board.

“In this short time Jim has demonstrated his ability to advocate for business, build partnerships and drive the chamber of commerce forward,” the statement said. “He has brought a lot of positive energy to the Roanoke Valley and we are sorry to see him go.”

Guerry credited Trzinski with forming the Roanoke Area Networking Team and the Young Professionals Network.

He also enhanced the chamber’s web and social media presence.

“I appreciate the opportunities I have been given during my time with the chamber of commerce,” Trzinski said in the statement. “I will treasure all of the friendships and business relationships that I have gained during my time here.”

In an email to the chamber of board of directors, which was obtained today by rrspin.com, Trzinski details the reasons why he decided to resign.

The subject line of the email he sent was tagged A Heavy Heart and begins with him saying, “The past couple of weeks have been very difficult for me at the Chamber. I have not gotten a lot of sleep and it is starting to take a toll on my health and my marriage.

“As I have shared with you over the past couple of months, the Chamber has been in a difficult financial situation. This financial situation has been ongoing, I am told, for the past number of years. The Chamber has been kicking the financial problem can down the road and we have finally caught up with it.”

This week, he wrote, “We will not be able to meet payroll and pay our bills. The Executive Committee thought that we could use a line of credit to get us through, but nobody renewed the line of credit last year and it expired. CCB Bank will not extend an unsecured line of credit to us at this point because of our financial situation.”

Trzinski said he tried to cut expenses in any way he could. “We eliminated all of the employee credit cards, we eliminated our monthly beverage contribution to the Business After Hours and I have not renewed any state or national Chamber of Commerce memberships to name a few.”  To remedy the situation, he wrote, “The only way that I see out of this predicament is to release employees to cut the expenses even further.  Being I am the only employee that does not have a home mortgage or a family in Roanoke Rapids, I see my departure is the way to save the most amount of money.”

He said the chamber owes him close to $2,500 and with this week's payroll, it will be more than $4,000. “My wife is not happy that I am working and incurring this shortfall in reimbursements.  This amount is a culmination of my moving expense balance and a car allowance balance for over three months.”  

He said in his effort to save the organization money, he hasn’t turned in any meal receipts, very limited fuel receipts and has not taken a health and dental insurance policy, which he said was promised him in his initial agreement, because it surpassed the allotment for the health insurance reimbursement.

He said he uncovered some "situations after I arrived that were not made known to me when I accepted the position.”

He said a $10,000 credit card debt, multiple past due accounts, a $3,000 debt to the chamber foundation, loans on existing savings accounts were just some of the situations that were not brought to the forefront before he was hired. “These situations have all added to the dismal financial situation that we find ourselves in.”

Trzinski said he has tried to bring back excitement to the chamber by promoting new programs such as networking and young professionals to name a few. “I have solicited new businesses and past chamber members to start new memberships or renew memberships that had expired.   Along with the staff, we have also updated our social media and website presence. I have enjoyed working with the Chamber member businesses and I do feel I have brought new excitement to the Chamber.”

Trzinski said he believed, “ … the Chamber has been living outside of its means for a number of years and now is a serious time for the Chamber's ultimate existence. There are difficult decisions that will have to be made by the Board of Directors to insure the longevity of the Chamber of Commerce.”

Guerry this afternoon said the board has discovered no malfeasance within the books. “Everything was handled appropriately. The chamber has been operating on a very tight budget.”

The vital issue is fundraising, Guerry said. While tourism has an occupancy tax, the chamber’s budget relies on membership and fundraising.

The board doesn’t have immediate plans to name an interim president, Guerry said, and believes the current staff will be able to do the job. He said the board will be looking at how to improve the budget situation. “It’s something we’re going to address.”

Guerry said the chamber remains a vital part of the community. “Small business is too vital. We have to keep moving forward.”

On Tuesday at approximately noon, Officer J. Shelburne responded to the Emergency Department at Halifax Regional Medical Center about a disturbance.

Shelburne spoke with hospital security about the matter and learned Kayla Renee Johnson, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, dropped someone off at the ER and when she returned she allegedly attempted to start an altercation with the person.  

She was told to leave but refused.

She was arrested and charged with trespassing.

She received a $1,000 bond and November 7 court date.

Sgt. T. Tyler assisted.

Domestic  

On Tuesday at approximately noon, Tyler responded to a residence in the 100 block of Duke Street about an assault.  

He spoke with the victim and noticed she had visible injuries to the mouth.  

Rakeon Lamonta Silver, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with assault on a female.

He was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a November 17 court date.

Shelburne assisted.

Trespasser charged

On Wednesday at approximately 4:15 a.m., Officer A. Green responded to Sheetz on a trespassing call.

Haywood Odell Collins, 38, of Roanoke Rapids, was on the property.

Collins became irate and started cursing and making threats to Green as he was asked to leave.  Collins was arrested and charged with trespassing, communicating threats and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.

He received a $2,000 bond and December 22 court date.

Officer C. Fortier assisted

Charges filed in nail salon case

On Wednesday at approximately 8:30 a.m. Mahogany Ellasia Person, 16, of Roanoke Rapids was arrested and charged by Lt. C.L. Vaught for obtaining property by false pretense.  

Vaught told rrspin.com Friday he intended to file additional counts against the girl after it was learned she and a juvenile allegedly passed a $100 movie prop bill at an additional nail salon.

Officer J. Spragins assisted.

Agent C.A. Parker received several complaints of drug sales and drug use at this residence.  

Shortly after 11 a.m., task force members with the assistance of the patrol division of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant at the residence.

During the search of the residence, with the assistance of Corporal Phillip Moyer, and his dog, Bosco, approximately 10 homemade crack smoking pipes were seized.

Parker cited Jeanette Barrett, 59, and Sophia Vincent, 48, with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.  

They were given November 15 court dates.  

Parker continues his investigation of the residence.

In a statement released today, board Chair Charles Guerry said the panel “is fully aware of the existing challenges.”

He said the board has established the framework for moving forward in an effective way. “This time of year is historically a challenging time, but payroll is being met.We have and are developing the framework through our finance committee to establish an austerity plan toward an improved financial future.”

Said Guerry in the statement, “The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce has been and will continue to be a vital part of our community and the Board of Directors is committed to maintaining the services it provides.”

Trzinski came onboard as chamber president in March. He tendered his resignation Wednesday.

In his resignation letter to the board, Trzinski cited the financial situation at the chamber as one of the reasons he decided to depart. “The only way that I see out of this predicament is to release employees to cut the expenses even further.  Being I am the only employee that does not have a home mortgage or a family in Roanoke Rapids, I see my departure is the way to save the most amount of money.”

Larceny suspects arrested

On Tuesday loss prevention with Walmart reported to Officer J. Shelburne two suspects entered the store around 2 p.m. They allegedly removed items from their packages and left without paying.

Loss prevention turned over still photographs and video to Shelburne who identified them as Erick Lamonz Hilton, 30, and Troy Antwan Herring, 24, both of Roanoke Rapids.  

Warrants for arrest were obtained for larceny and possession of stolen goods.

On Thursday around noon, Hilton and Herring were located at a residence in the 200 block of Monroe Street and taken into custody.

Both received $1,000 bonds and November 17 court dates.

Lieutenant P. Parks, Investigator G. Williams, Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer J. Spragins assisted.

Emporia man faces charges

On Thursday at approximately 4 p.m., Domonique Dante Morgan, 38, of Emporia, came to the police department to be served with warrants for possession of a stolen firearm and obtaining property by false pretense.

The charges stem from an investigation by Lieutenant C.L. Vaught where Morgan allegedly sold a stolen gun to a local business on October 9.

The gun was taken in a breaking and entering in Brunswick County, Virginia.

He received a $2,000 bond and December 6 court date.  

Assault call  

On Friday at approximately 8:30 p.m., Officer J. DeSare responded to an assault call in the 1700 block of Daniel Street.

He noticed the victim had visible injuries to the head.  

Jerrod Laquez Arrington, 24, of Weldon, was arrested and charged with assault on a female.

He received a $500 bond and December 8 court date.

Sergeant D. Jenkins and Officer M. Hunsucker assisted.

Traffic stop  

On Saturday at approximately 3 a.m., DeSare conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation on Hinson Street.  

During the stop the driver, Shammond Detrone Wright, 19, of Garysburg, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and cited.

He was released until his December 22 court date.

Shots fired call  

On Saturday at approximately 3 p.m., officers responded to the 1900 block of Carter Street about shots fired.  

Officers were told the alleged suspect had left the area.

Officers saw Devin Rashod Johnston, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, behind a residence in the last known direction of the shooter.

Johnston fled but was taken into custody after a short foot chase.  

Johnston had narcotics and paraphernalia in his possession when he was searched.

Officer E. Johnson arrested and charged Johnston with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

He received a $2,500 bond and November 1 court date.

Officer C. Batchelor assisted.

Dispute leads to arrest

On Sunday at approximately 12:45 a.m., Officer H. Grimes arrested Karl Robert Spillane, 36, of Roanoke Rapids, on warrants for assault by strangulation, assault on a handicapped person, communicating threats, and damage to property.  

He received a $5,000 bond and November 1 court date.

The charges stem from a crime reported to Grimes on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Tenth Street.

Spillane allegedly threatened, hit and choked the victim, who, according to the report, had recently underwent arm surgery.

Lieutenant J. Baggett and Master Officer G. Colson assisted.  

Suspicious vehicle

On Sunday at approximately 9:45 p.m., Jenkins was on routine patrol when he noticed a vehicle backed into an empty cul-de-sac on River’s Edge Parkway with the lights off.  

During the interaction with the driver, Robert Carl Ivey, 18, narcotics were found in his possession.

Ivey was cited for possession of marijuana and released until his December 12 court date.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported Dominique Hardy, 26, of Weldon, claimed he was a victim in a drive-by shooting which was alleged to have occurred in the area of Green and Elm streets around 9:30.

In a statement Hall said Lieutenant Randy Keeton and deputies on his squad responded to the area.

What was learned, however, was Hardy injured himself when the gun discharged after falling from his pants.

After receiving medical treatment, Detective Matt Brown arrested and charged Hardy with possession of a firearm by felon.

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Hardy was released on a $15,000 bond and has a November 15 court date pending.

Deputies also arrested James Brickell Jr., 49, of Weldon, for reportedly interfering with the investigation.

Hall said Brickell is an acquaintance of Hardy’s and allegedly tried to enter the crime scene, curse and distract investigators.

On Friday around 8:06 p.m., Officer Q.L. Godley stopped a vehicle off Highway 158 near Ralph's Barbecue for a vehicle registration violation.

Godley identified the driver of the vehicle as Willie Albert Alston Jr., 23, of Roanoke Rapids.

Godley discovered Alston had an outstanding warrant for arrest for communicating threats.

Alston was placed under arrest and taken before a magistrate where he received a $1,000 secured bond with a November 14 court date.

Officer C.M. Byrum assisted.

On Sunday around 12:24 a.m., Godley and Byrum responded to a residence in the 200 block of West  Second Street on a 911 call.

Officers spoke with Tony Taylor, 38, of Weldon.

After an investigation by the officers and three 911 calls from Taylor the day before, Godley placed Taylor under arrest for misuse of 911. Taylor told dispatchers he believed someone was after him but there was no evidence that was true.

Taylor was taken before a magistrate and received a $1,000 secured bond and a November 8 court date.

He was also scheduled to undergo evaluation.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Doyle Field behind T.J. Davis the police department’s second trunk or treat will be held for children 12 and under.

Chief Chuck Hasty said there is still time for civic groups and churches wanting to participate and hand out candy to join the event by calling him at 252-326-3939.

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, the fire department, Roanoke Valley Rescue, public works and car clubs will be participating in the event.

Hasty said trunk or treats are becoming the alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. “A lot of people don’t participate anyway,” he said of conventional trick-or-treating. “A lot of homes are not participating.”

Last year was the first year the police department held the trunk or treat. “It was a great turnout. We ran out of candy and had to go out to get more.”

For those who still want to trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods, the time has been set for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hasty said.

Meanwhile, the recreation department begins its celebration Monday with a pumpkin carving workshop from 9 a.m. to noon at T.J. Davis. The workshop is for children ages 6 to 10. Cost is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. The cost includes a pumpkin for decorating, crafts, games and lunch. Call 252-533-2847 as space is limited.

On Halloween the annual recreation department and Optimist Club carnival and haunted house at T.J. Davis will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The carnival is free for children 12 and under. The haunted house, recommended for children 12 and up, costs $2.

The recreation department is also sponsoring a Halloween Party for children 12 and under at Chaloner Recreation Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are happy to once again partner with the police department, sheriff’s office, city departments and other first responders to provide a safe and enjoyable family-friendly event or our children at Halloween,” parks and recreation Director John Simeon said.

Captain A.M. Harris said 25 crack rocks were seized, along with a dosage unit of heroin wrapped in a $10 bill and a bag of powdered cocaine.

It was not clear whether the man arrested following the stop, Joshua Antonio Burrell, 33, of Greensboro, had bought or was going to the sell the drugs, Harris said.

Burrell is formerly of Halifax, Harris said in a statement.

Agent D.W. McKeel stopped Burrell around 2 p.m. on East Tenth Street near Virginia Avenue.

Burrell was found in a possession of the drugs following a subsequent search, Harris said.

McKeel cited Burnell with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for a traffic signal violation and arrested and charged him with felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of heroin, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance and resisting a public officer.  

He received a November 15 court date.

Roanoke Rapids Master Officer Jamie Hardy and his dog, Storm, and agents C.A. Parker and C. Babb assisted.