Kinston police seize firearms, make arrests in weekend cases
Traffic Stop Leads to DWI Arrest and Drug Charges
On September 21, 2025, at approximately 2:20 a.m., officers from the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad conducted an investigative traffic stop for a possible impaired driver.
Upon making contact, officers determined that the driver, 68-year-old Williams Cooke, was impaired and took him into custody. A search incident to arrest revealed cocaine and marijuana in Cooke’s possession.
Cooke was transported to the Lenoir County Jail and placed under a secured bond for the following charges:
Driving While Impaired (DWI)
Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance
The Kinston Police Department remains committed to removing impaired drivers and illegal narcotics from the streets to keep our community safe.
Shots Fired Investigation Leads to Two Firearms Seized and Arrest in Mitchell Wooten
On September 21, 2025, at approximately 2:20 a.m., officers from the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad responded to a shots fired call in the Mitchell Wooten area where a residence had been struck.
Upon arriving in the area, officers observed a vehicle attempting to leave and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, the backseat passenger, 20-year-old Kaleb Buck, began resisting officers and was taken into custody. A search revealed more than 15 grams of marijuana on Buck’s person.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered two firearms:
A handgun concealed in the rear seat where Buck had been sitting.
A second handgun hidden under the passenger seat where 20-year-old Elijah Berry was seated.
Charges:
Kaleb Buck was arrested and charged with:
Felony Carrying a Concealed Gun
Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance
Elijah Berry was issued a citation for Carrying a Concealed Gun and released from the scene.
The shots fired investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department at (252) 939-3160, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444, or submit a tip through the KPD iWitness platform.
CASE UPDATE – Dollar General Breaking & Entering
Officers from the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad have identified 43-year-old Ricky Harper as the suspect in the recent Dollar General breaking and entering incidents that occurred on September 15 and September 17, 2025.
Following their investigation, officers obtained warrants for Harper’s arrest and successfully took him into custody. Harper now faces the following charges:
Breaking and Entering (2 Counts)
Injury to Real Property (2 Counts)
Larceny After Breaking and Entering
Interfering with an Electronic Monitoring Device
Felony Probation Violation
The Kinston Police Department remains committed to protecting local businesses and holding offenders accountable. Anyone with additional information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department at (252) 939-3160, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444, or submit a tip through the KPD iWitness platform.
Kinston Police Officers Seize Firearms During Old Snow Hill Road Call
On September 19, 2025, at approximately 4:04 p.m., officers from the Kinston Police Department’s D-Squad responded to a report of three individuals walking along Old Snow Hill Road carrying firearms.
Upon locating the subjects, officers observed what appeared to be an extended magazine in the waistband of 18-year-old Jayden McKiver. McKiver complied with officers’ commands, and a handgun was safely removed from his waistband. A second concealed firearm was discovered on 18-year-old Tyree Moses.
Both McKiver and Moses were cited for Carrying a Concealed Gun (CCG) and released from the scene.
The Kinston Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of our community by responding quickly to reports of illegal firearms activity. Anyone with information about illegal weapons is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department at (252) 939-3160, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444, or submit a tip through the KPD iWitness platform.
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