Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner told Judge Alma Hinton the state would not proceed with a capital case against Shenna Kay Riley and Jovonte Boone because aggravating factors did not outweigh the mitigating factors in the case.

Both defendants were acquainted with the victim, Nestor Salazar Moctexuma, 51, who was a year round farm worker in Halifax County, the sheriff’s office said at the time.

He was found deceased the morning of May 20 in a mobile home in the Airlie Road area of Littleton.

The farm worker was shot and robbed.

Chief Chuck Hasty said investigators continue to determine motive.

In a statement he said on Wednesday around 3 p.m., Collie Davis Jr., 26, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested in the Oak Street and Gordon Drive shooting.

He was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon within city limits.

He surrendered to the police department and was jailed on $25,000 bond. He received a December 6 court date.

Investigator G.L. Williams filed the charges.

On Wednesday around 6 p.m., Darius Jaquan Robertson, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered to the police department and faces charges of going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon within city limits related to the Carter Street matter.

After Williams filed the charges against Robertson, he received a $2,000 bond and December 22 court date.

More charges are expected and the shootings appear to be related, Hasty said last week.

The charges stem from a report received Thursday around 10:30 p.m. of shots fired on Carter Street.

When officers arrived they did not locate any suspects, but located numerous shell casings in the area.  

While processing the scene officers heard more shots fired in the area of South Rosemary.

When officers arrived they found an occupied vehicle on Oak Street and Gordon Drive had been shot, but nobody was injured.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Alleged vehicle B&E suspect surrenders

On Wednesday at approximately 2:15 p.m., Darius Tyshawn Tabron, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged on outstanding warrants for breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny and possession of stolen goods. He surrendered at the police department.

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

Investigator J. Benthall charged Tabron based on an investigation into a report filed on October 21 of a vehicle breaking and entering in the 100 block of Steeplechase Run.

Tabron was arrested on October 30 by Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy G. Keel for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of stolen goods related to Benthall’s investigation.

He received a $1,000 bond on those charges.

Paraphernalia charge

On Wednesday at approximately 8:15 p.m., Officer J. DeSare conducted a traffic stop on East Tenth Street near Georgia Avenue for a violation.

During the stop a search was conducted and drug paraphernalia was found.

Nyla Piercy Deloatch, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released until her December 22 court date.

Officer M. Hunsucker assisted.

Trooper S.R. Corn of the state Highway Patrol said Javonte Alvone’ High, 24, of Garysburg, was driving a 1999 Honda Accord east on Highway 46 when he apparently crossed the centerline and overcorrected. The vehicle ran off the road to the right and collided with a tree.

The crash occurred shortly after 1:30 this morning.

High and his passenger, Trayvon Webb, 17, also of Garysburg, were both airlifted to Vidant in Greenville for treatment of injuries. Corn said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The trooper said alcohol use is suspected pending blood test results and is also as of this report considered to be contributing factor to the crash.

Charges are pending against High and will most likely be related to alcohol use and possession of cocaine after about 3 ½ grams was found in the vehicle.

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Gaston Fire & Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said in a statement units were dispatched to the scene and found the vehicle off the roadway and wrapped around a tree.

High was pinned in the vehicle and Webb was found lying next to it.

Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to open the door and get the driver out.

Vidant EastCare sent two helicopters to the scene.

Firefighters remained on scene for nearly two hours.

As of this report the victims were listed in critical condition, Porter said in the statement.

The arrests include a Littleton area man who already has pending court dates in two previous cocaine trafficking arrests and the arrest of a man who was allegedly operating a trap house on Zoo Road.

Summit Road arrest

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City County Drug Task Force agents and deputies with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Summit Road around 12:30 p.m. with a search warrant for Franklin Emanuel Phipps, who already faces cocaine trafficking counts from raids in October of last year and again in January.

Task force Captain A.M. Harris said Phipps, 46, is reputedly one of the major suppliers of cocaine in the Littleton area. Harris declined to discuss the structure of Phipps’ alleged trafficking business.

The task force, Harris said, is in the process of seeking federal adoption of the case after agents seized 29.3 grams of cocaine, $10,710 in cash and items of paraphernalia.

During execution of the search warrant, based on more than a year of investigation by Agent D.W. Mckeel, Phipps resisted agents by refusing to be handcuffed and throwing two plastic bags of cocaine on the roof of a shed.

Mckeel arrested and charged Phipps with trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.  

He received a $100,000 bond and November 15 court date. He has a December 20 court date on the previous charges.

Trap house

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Around 3:30 p.m., agents deputies and investigators with the sheriff’s office went to the 800 block of Zoo Road North with a search warrant which was based on the operation of a reputed trap house at the residence.

Harris explained the maintenance of a trap house is common among drug dealers, who will either rent or a buy a house to sell drugs from instead of selling from their own residence. Some dealers will allow addicts to use in the trap houses.

In a statement Harris said agents received several intelligence reports from deputies working the area because of recent drug complaints from citizens.  

Deputies of B Squad under the supervision of Lieutenant Randy Keeton have made traffic stops of vehicles leaving this home and made drug seizures and arrests.

The search warrant was based on these reports and investigation by Mckeel.

During the search of the home, agents located 38 bags of heroin; 10 bags of powdered cocaine and 12 bags of marijuana.

Several items of drug paraphernalia which included a small mechanical press were seized.

Harris said these presses are often used in the manufacturing process after large amounts of cocaine are mixed with cutting agents. “We don’t know if they using it for heroin or cocaine but we believe it was being used in the manufacturing process,” Harris said.

The press was the only item found in a bedroom closet and furnishings in the rest of the house were sparse — a couch, television and kitchen table. There was no clothing or personal items in the residence.

Mckeel arrested and charged Jerod Boone, 29, of Church Street, with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, trafficking heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin and possession of heroin.  

Boone received a $100,000 bond and November 15 court date.

Harris said several drug dealers are known to run the house and Mckeel is trying to determine who they are.

Subpoena service

On Thursday around 10 a.m., Master Officer G. Morris went to serve a subpoena at a residence in the 200 block of James Court.

When Robin Denise Gatling, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, came to the door there was an odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence.

After a search marijuana and paraphernalia were found.

Morris cited Gatling for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was released until her December 15 court date.

Sergeant M. Peck assisted.

Identity theft

On Thursday at approximately 1:45 p.m., Investigator J. Benthall arrested Denisa A. Edwards, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, on a warrant for identity theft.

The charges stem from an investigation by Benthall into a September 20 report.

The victim reported while attempting to get electrical services there was an outstanding balance in their name at another residence.

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

The crash caused approximately $215,000 in damages to the Weldon City Schools administration building on Mulberry Street.

Chief James Avens said it was not clear why Raheem Ausby, 21, was driving the wrong way on a one-way street around 12:40 that morning when he drove into the building and fled the scene.

Responding officers collected a blood sample which was examined at the North Carolina State Bureau of investigation lab, the results linking the crash to Ausby.

Avens said Ausby frequents areas of Roanoke Rapids and Weldon. He lives in Weldon.

Ausby is wanted for driving while license revoked, damage to personal property, damage to real property, leaving the scene of an accident and a one-way street violation.

Anyone with information on Ausby's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Chris Davis at 252-536-3136 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The official match contract was signed between Roanoke Rapids Police Chief "The Peacekeeper" Chuck Hasty and WPTM 102.3's "The Really Bad Situation" Joey Landen and they will face off against each other in the spring. The Really Bad Situation took a cheap shot to the Peacekeeper knocking him to the mat and had to be escorted out of the building.

There was a special message from former WWE, WCW, NWA wrestler--Chuck Coates.

It was a great night of RAGE Wrestling Warriors and the Roanoke Rapids Police Club's "Christmas for the Kids" program.

Photos by Randy Wrenn

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Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said investigators are still trying to determine motive in the shootings. Two people have already been charged.

On Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m., Taurus Devon Price, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered to Investigator G.L. Williams at the police department.

Price was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon in city limits.

He received a $1,000 bond and December 6 court date, Hasty said in a statement.

On Wednesday Collie Davis Jr., and Darius Jaquan Robertson, both 26 and both from Roanoke Rapids were charged in the case.

The charges stem from a report received October 26 around 10:30 p.m. of shots fired on Carter Street.

When officers arrived they did not locate any suspects, but located numerous shell casings in the area.  

While processing the scene officers heard more shots fired in the area of South Rosemary.

When officers arrived they found an occupied vehicle on Oak Street and Gordon Drive had been shot, but nobody was injured.

Habitual larceny

On Saturday at approximately 1 p.m., Officer J. Spragins responded to Walmart about a larceny. Loss prevention reported Reggie Woodson, 46, of Roanoke Rapids, took items from the store.

Woodson was arrested and charged with habitual larceny and possession of stolen goods.

He received a $2,500 bond and December 6 court date.

Fraud charges

On Friday at approximately 2:45 p.m., Captain B.L. Martin arrested Jacqueline Batchelor Burke, 48, of Rocky Mount, on outstanding warrants for larceny by employee and obtaining property by false pretense.  

She received a $5,000 bond and December 6 court date.

The charges stem from a report filed on October 25 where the victim alleged Burke, a salesperson, was paid to fix a customer’s credit. Hasty declined to name the victim.

Martin this afternoon said salespeople can only give customers tips on how to improve their credit scores. “If they’re adding things, that’s illegal.”

Beyond saying cash was paid, Martin declined to give the specific amount.

The charges also reflect Burke rented out a vehicle for payment although the victim does not  have a rental program.

Martin declined comment on how much money she allegedly received but said there was evidence a vehicle was rented out several times.

Attempted robbery

On Friday at approximately  8 p.m., officers responded to an attempted armed robbery call in the area of Fourth and Summit avenues.

Officers found a victim was shot in the arm and transported to Halifax Regional.

The victim was then transferred to an undisclosed trauma center for further treatment.

There are no suspect descriptions at this time and investigators J. Benthall and O. Wiltsie continue their probe of the matter.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the investigators at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Disturbance

On Saturday at approximately 11:45 p.m., Sergeant T. Tyler arrested and charged Denisha Nicole Gills, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, with disorderly conduct and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.  

She received a $500 bond and December 1 court date.

The charges stem from a matter at a private event at Kirkwood Adams where Tyler was working.  There was a disturbance inside the venue and the sponsor asked for Gills to leave.

Gills allegedly refused to leave and began yelling and cursing and was escorted out.

Lieutenant J. Baggett assisted.

Drug charges

On Sunday at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were conducting a driver’s license checkpoint  when a vehicle came through with the odor of marijuana.

Narcotics and paraphernalia were found.

Officer C. Hagbourne made the following citations and charges:

Savannah Woodruff, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released until her January 19 court date.

Quincy Jay Vann Jr., 18, of Roanoke Rapids was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. He was released until his January 19 court date.

Ryan Keith Grizzard, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine.

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

Master Officer J. Hardy and officers S. Blythe and A. Green assisted.

Tyrone Williams presented the resolution to the board during their meeting and has also sent a letter to the state Department of Transportation district engineer’s office requesting a 5-mile stretch of the highway through Enfield to the Edgecombe County line be named in the late senator’s honor.

“Citizens in his district and across the state miss his quiet but steady leadership,” Williams, a close friend, said in the DOT letter. “It is very fitting that we honor his service to our great state and his memory in a manner such as this.”

Williams said his commitment extends to assisting in raising funds for the endeavor.

After retiring from the state Highway Patrol, Jones served as Enfield police chief before being elected mayor in 2002. “His political career continued on an upwards path when he was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2005 upon the death of Rep. John Hall.”

After winning election to his own term, Jones was appointed the Fourth District senatorial district seat upon the death of Senator Robert Holloman. “Senator Jones took his senate seat in 2007,” Williams said in the DOT letter.

He was subsequently elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012 to the state senate.

“Senator Jones was a very active and visible public servant throughout his district,” Williams wrote. “His accomplishments and contributions are numerous. He was an advocate and champion of public education at all levels, a community service warrior and a friend to the youth and elderly.”

Concluded Williams in the letter, “We are all better because this great man crossed our path and he was certainly the epitome of his personal motto: It’s not about the titles we possess; it’s about the job we do.”

Jones died in December of 2012.

In the resolution honoring the late senator, the document calls Jones “an advocate for county government on many critical issues” and notes he made “numerous important contributions for the citizens of North Carolina and in particular Halifax County.”

Says the resolution: “Mr. Jones demonstrated strong leadership, wisdom, creativity and community spirit while serving on the North Carolina General Assembly thus enhancing community services, economic development, education, health, transportation and improving Halifax County’s unique quality of life.”

Commissioner Marcelle Smith offered the motion to approve the resolution.

News of the offer by Thomas and Evon McClean, who divide their time between Chocowinity and Florida, was made public after city council convened in closed session for the discussions on the matter.

Council in open session unanimously passed a resolution which will require the city publish a notice of the offer and a 10-day upset bid process.

The McCleans, and what was described by the city in a press release as a development group which made the offer, were not present this evening.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said following the meeting, “My understanding is they intend to operate it to put shows on there, develop it as a meeting place, develop it as an attraction and also to conduct internet gaming.”

Councilman Wayne Smith, who made the motion to begin the upset bid process and has been a proponent of selling the venue said, “I feel real good about it. I think the council made a great decision tonight and I think good things will happen in Carolina Crossroads. I think the people who put in the bid will work to develop the property.”

Scherer said the city has been talking with the McCleans for about two to three months.

Asked if he believed the offer was fair, Scherer said, “A piece of property is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it and what someone is willing to sell it for.’

Background on the McCleans or the development group was not immediately available in the press statement or the resolution.

Scherer said once the city receives the 5 percent down payment from the development group then a notice will be published saying the city has received an offer for $3 million which will start the 10-day upset bid process.

Once the process is set in place, “Anybody can submit a higher bid of at least 5 percent higher than $3 million to us with a 5 percent check for their bid. If they do that, council has the option to start the 10-day upset bid process over. If no other bid is received then at the end of those 10 days council has the option to finally accept the offer or reject it.”

Scherer referred to the press release when asked what drew the panel to the development group. “I believe the statements Mayor (Emery) Doughtie made in the press release kind of reflect council’s feeling that this is a positive economic development opportunity out there and will hopefully lead to further development out there in the entertainment district.”

In the press statement, the city said, “City council is hopeful that they will be able to put the theatre in private hands which could lead to a successful business model for the facility and further development in the Carolina Crossroads and Music Entertainment District as the project was originally intended to accomplish.”

In the press release Doughtie said, “We view the potential sale of the theatre as a positive economic development venture — hat with a professional and dynamic management group providing continuity to theatre activities with a significant financial commitment of their own, we feel this sale will lead to other businesses seeing the district and the city as a profitable place to do business.”

The mayor also said in the statement the potential sale of the venue “will help the city by removing the expense of operating and maintaining a unique and complex facility along with freeing up the resources of both the parks and recreation and public works departments.

“These departments have been heavily committed in their efforts of managing and maintaining the facility, especially while marketing it for sale. Their resources can be redirected to meeting the city’s mission of providing planned, acceptable services to its citizens in a cost-effective manner.”

“They help a lot of people in the community,” said Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Manning. “They have worked with the city during different disasters. They do a lot of work for people in need, preparing bags with non-perishable items for the homeless. They really try to help those in need in the Roanoke Valley. We wanted to thank them for their contributions to the community.”

Mr. Moseley said this morning, “I feel like it was an honor. We appreciate that kind of support. It’s been a giving community and we are thankful to the good Lord above for all the support we get.”

Mr. Moseley said it will be fitting for the DIRT volunteers to ride on the float with he and his wife. About 20 volunteers are on a list for the various projects DIRT does, he said. “Everything we do we have others helping out.”

(To register visit the Christmas parade website or stop by T.J. Davis)

Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough forged a friendship with the couple in the aftermath of the 2011 tornado. “They are benevolent. They’re unique to this area.”

The annual Christmas parade begins at 2 p.m. on December 3, starting from Thirteenth Street down Roanoke Avenue where it ends at First Street.

Between 20 to 35 groups have already signed up. The deadline for getting in the parade is November 17.

“I feel like we’ll have a good variety and good participation,” Manning said.

The Elizabeth City State University Marching Band has been invited to return and several high school and middle school bands have committed. They include Roanoke Rapids High School, Chaloner Middle School, North Edgecombe High School, Brunswick, Virginia High School and Weldon High School.

The Sudan clowns and Buccaneers have committed and the city is awaiting word on the return of the Greenville Public Safety Pipes and Drums.

“We want more to participate,” Manning said.

Registration can be made online or a form can be picked up at T.J. Davis, she said.

The parade will also serve as a benefit for Angel’s Closet and registrants are asked to donate two canned goods. Canned good donations will also be accepted at T.J. Davis.

The Christmas parade will be held rain or shine.

Leading up to the parade will be the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street at 6 p.m November 30.

Madelyn Caudle will continue a tradition where a youngster gets to flip the switch lighting the tree in Veterans Park.

Before the lighting ceremony there will be refreshments inside Lloyd Andrews and there will be Christmas Carols outside performed by the RRHS chorus.

The tree lighting ceremony has become the traditional lead-in to the parade. “It’s a time to celebrate the spiritual meaning of the season and a time to celebrate our children’s anticipation of the holiday,” Manning said.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert J. Higdon Jr. announced the sentencing in a press release.

Hughes, 39, of Weldon, will serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Hughes was named in an indictment filed on July 24 and he pled to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The investigation began in April of 2016 after the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office received information from a confidential informant Hughes was selling cocaine from his residence in Weldon.

The City County Drug Task Force arrested Hughes in June of 2016.

Investigation showed between April 13 and June 8, of 2016, an informant was used to conduct two controlled purchases of cocaine totaling .73 grams from Hughes at his home.

On June 10, 2016, a search warrant led to the discovery of a loaded .380 Caliber handgun, 7.06 grams of cocaine, and two digital scales in the bedroom closet of his residence.

Law enforcement also located a small-unspecified quantity of marijuana, a marijuana grinder, and other drug paraphernalia inside the home.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified team effort against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

The task force, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted the criminal investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

The service will be held in Veterans Park off Roanoke Avenue.

The service includes special music from Valley Community Church in Weldon, a JROTC drill and recognition of all veterans

Veteran leadership and local veteran posts will also be recognized as well the veterans in attendance from Valley church.

Meanwhile, Halifax Resolves Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution has a veterans display in the hallway of the Halifax County Library honoring veterans past and present.

Chief James Avens is suspending the department’s grooming policy as it participates in what he is calling Let it Grow for Cancer in which funds will be donated locally.

Part of the effort includes a program on November 18 at Weldon Elementary School in which two speakers will discuss, colon cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease.

The program will feature Dr. Veronica Carlisle of UNC who will speak on colon cancer and Dr. Isaac Miller of Halifax Medical Specialists who will discuss prostate health and heart disease. The program will be from 9 a.m.to noon.

(A flyer with specifics and sponsors is included as an attachment at the end of the story)

Last year the department participated in No Shave November but Avens found the money raised was sent out of state and there was no way to show whether local efforts were supported.

“This year the police department decided to take the initiative again and created our own by naming it Let it Grow for Cancer, Growing Awareness for Men in efforts of growing our hair, which many cancer patients lose during the process of chemo and radiation treatment.”

Each officer will participate and donate to the cause. “In return for participating our grooming policy will be on hold in an effort to generate conversation with other men to get wellness checks.”

The public may donate to the effort, Avens said. “The funds raised will support cancer prevention, research, and education for men which will be donated locally this year.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the leading cause of cancer death among men is lung cancer at 52 percent, prostate cancer at 19.1 percent, colorectal cancer at 16.9 percent and liver cancer at 9.6 percent.

For Avens the cause is personal. “I have two close friends in their early to mid 40's who are battling cancer along with several male family members who have passed from cancer related death. Cancer has affected many of us personally or through someone we know.”

Meacham defeated former town Commissioner Stanley Edwards, who stepped down to run for the mayor’s seat. She beat Edwards by a 69.57 to 30.43 percent margin.

Incumbent Weldon commissioners Susie Adams and Kimberly Robinson lost their seats as challengers Walter Clark Jr., Larry Brunson and Reailyn Stanback won. Clark is a former Weldon town commissioner.

Challenger Christon Martin finished last behind Adams and Robinson collecting 9.50 percent of the votes.

Turnout across the county was 11.10 percent.

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Enfield

In Enfield, incumbent Mayor Barbara Simmons was ousted by challenger Wayne Anderson. Anderson collected 71.12 percent of the votes in the race.

In the Enfield District A town commissioner race, challenger Bobby Whitaker unseated incumbent Therman Hunter, taking 73.94 percent of the votes.

In the Enfield District B race, challenger Kenneth Ward collected 69.41 percent of the votes to beat out incumbent Earl Harvey.

Halifax

A write-in candidate will determine the fifth seat on the Halifax Town Board of Commissioners, county Board of Elections Director Kristin Scott said.

The winner of the fifth seat should be known Wednesday.

Mayor John White, who ran unopposed, was re-elected.

Three incumbents — John Suiter, Barbara Daniels and Lee Clements — won their seats and newcomer Christina Wells won a seat.

There were 21 write-ins in the race.

Hobgood

Incumbent Mayor Dannie Flanary and incumbent Sam Johnson and Robert Sykes were re-elected.

Littleton

In Littleton, Owen Scott won the mayor’s seat after John Girdley did not refile.

Two of three newcomers were elected to the board after two incumbents did not refile.

Stephen Barcelo and Bonita Knight won the two seats.

Roanoke Rapids

Mayor Emery Doughtie, who ran unopposed was re-elected as were council members Suetta Scarbrough and Wayne Smith.

In the Roanoke Rapids Board of Education race, incumbents Mike Salanik and Valencia Davis were re-elected. Newcomer Henry Ford won a seat.

Incumbent Jane Deese did not refile.

In the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board race, incumbents Steve Holliday and Eugene St. Clair were re-elected.

Challenger Gregory Browning, the chair of the planning board, won a seat.

Incumbent Jack Barber did not seek re-election.

Challenger Dom Fenner came in last, getting 12.67 percent of the votes.

Scotland Neck

Incumbent Mayor Eddie Braxton ran unopposed and was re-elected.

Incumbent commissioners James Savage and Charles Suit were re-elected.

Challenger Susie Dickens came in last, collecting 20 percent of the votes.

Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said while nothing was taken, an armed robbery charge still applies in the case under state law.

The man arrested, Tajma Ussery, 19, ended up shooting himself in the arm during a struggle with the victim, Martin said.

On Monday around 8:30 p.m., Ussery was arrested and charged with armed robbery and a parole violation.

Ussery had been sentenced in March to 30 months supervised release after being found guilty of larceny from a person in a July 9, 2016, case, state Department of Public Safety records show.

The victim was defending himself when Ussery shot himself, Martin said. He was treated locally and then taken to a trauma center for further treatment.

Probation took Ussery into custody following investigation by investigators O.L. Wiltsie and J. Benthall.

He received a $75,000 bond for the armed robbery charge and a $15,000 cash bond for the probation violation. He has a December 6 court date.

Walgreen’s disturbance

On Tuesday at approximately 10:48 a.m., officers responded to Walgreen’s on a disturbance call between two men.

Officers learned the disturbance started outside of the business but eventually filtered inside where 911 was called. The nature of the disturbance was not immediately known, Martin said.

Through further investigation officers learned one of the men had a gun and stashed it on a shelf before encountering law enforcement.

The weapon was located and secured.

Warrants have been obtained for James Randolph Williams Jr. of Roanoke Rapids for possession of a firearm by a felon and giving a false report to law enforcement.

Williams frequents areas of Roanoke Rapids.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the police department at 252-533-2810.

Officers M. Hunsucker and H. Grimes, with her dog, Jimi, assisted along with Lieutenant J. Baggett.

The deposit represents 5 percent of the $3 million offer Thomas and Evon McClean have made on the building, City Manager Joseph Scherer said this morning.

A notice announcing the upset bid process will be posted Friday on rrspin.com as well as the local newspaper.

In trying to obtain more information on the potential buyers of the theater, Scherer said the couple has indicated to the city they don’t wish to be interviewed at this point.

The city manager said during a meeting Monday the couple divides their time between Chocowinity and Florida. It has not been disclosed who other potential partners are in the project.

Scherer said following Monday’s meeting, where a resolution was passed on the offer, the McCleans intend to operate it to put shows, develop it as a meeting place, develop it as an attraction and conduct internet gaming.

He said this morning receipt of the down payment shows, “They are conducting business in good faith.”

The upset bid process will begin Friday and closes at 5 p.m. November 20 and that time the city clerk shall open the bids, if any, and the highest qualifying bid will become the new offer.

If there is more than one bid in the highest amount, the first such bid received will become the new offer.

A qualifying higher bid is one that raises the existing offer to an amount not less than $3,150,000.

City council must approve the final high offer before the sale is closed, which it will do within 30 days after the final upset bid period has passed.

During a search of the residence agents seized 16 grams of marijuana, 4.3 grams of cocaine, eight oxycodone pills, heroin wrapped in lottery tickets and a digital scale.  

Captain A.M. Harris of the task force said occupants of the residence reportedly tried to flush some items as agents attempted to make a forced entry into the house.

The return to the residence in the 800 block of Zoo Road North was based on alleged evidence of traffic for the purpose of drug activity coming to and leaving the house despite a major bust there last week.

A trap house is common among drug dealers, who will either rent or a buy a house to sell drugs from instead of selling from their own residence. Some dealers will allow addicts to use in the trap houses.

In a raid last Friday agents levied heroin trafficking and other charges

Agent D.J. Epperson arrested and charged Alphonso Williams, 29, of Roanoke Rapids, for felony possession of heroin and Audwin Parker Jr., 28, of Roanoke Rapids, for felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, simple possession of schedule II controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Williams received a $2,000 bond and Parker a $5,000 bond. Both have December 20 court dates.

The names of Williams and Parker came up during initial investigation of the house, Harris said.

Harris said nuisance abatement proceedings are a possibility as agents attempt to determine who owns the house and who is renting it.

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Traffic stop

On Tuesday around 3:30 p.m., Epperson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a violation on West Tenth near Burton streets.

Cocaine, two bags of marijuana and a marijuana grinder were seized.

Epperson arrested and charged Brian Eugene Luckey, 40, of Highway 158, for felony possession of cocaine, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He received a $750 bond and November 15 court date.  

Agent D.R. Radford assisted.

Chief Chuck Hasty said a female victim sustained minor injuries after she was allegedly assaulted Tuesday.

In a statement Hasty said Officer J. DeSare arrested and charged James Matthew Cain, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding warrants for kidnapping, assault on a female and communicating threats.

Cain was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a January 3 court date.

The charges stem from DeSare’s investigation into a Tuesday report by the victim in which she claimed Cain allegedly assaulted her, made threats and would not allow her to leave the residence.

Lieutenant J. Baggett and Sergeant D. Jenkins assisted with the Wednesday arrest.

Public’s help needed

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Lieutenant Charles Vaught reported police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two people who allegedly stole several gaming consoles from Walmart on November 4 shortly before midnight.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810, Detective Gorton Williams at 252-533-2821, or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

City County Drug Force Captain A.M. Harris said in a statement Agent D.J. Epperson attempted to stop a vehicle traveling west on Highway 158 for driving left of center around 5:45 p.m.

The driver of the vehicle was later determined to be Kevin Lee Andre Davis, 30, of Airbase Road.

Davis reportedly did not stop for the agent and sped up. He began passing other vehicles and took Epperson and Harris on a chase from the area of Little Deep Creek Road to the 3000 block of Roper Springs Road.

During the chase Davis stuck his hands out of the window several times in what Harris said he believed was an attempt to get rid of items in the vehicle. Agents could find no items following a search after the stop. Deputies from B Squad of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and additional agents of the task force assisted in that search.

Once the chase ended, Davis was ordered out of the vehicle but was eventually escorted out.

Harris said in the statement agents have dealt with Davis in the past in traffic stops and search warrants.

In 2015 he was charged with heroin trafficking following a stop and last year was charged with more heroin counts.

Epperson arrested and charged Davis with flee to elude arrest with motor vehicle, resisting a public officer and fail to heed light or siren.  

He received a $10,000 bond and December 20 court date.