Kinston police report multiple arrests following drug investigation, stabbing and break-in
The Kinston Police Department reported multiple arrests over several days following a drug investigation and separate violent and property crime incidents. On Jan. 30, officers concluded a three-month investigation into cocaine distribution, resulting in the arrests of two men and the seizure of drugs, firearms and cash at two locations. That same day, police arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection with a stabbing reported in the Mitchell Wooten area. On Feb. 1, officers also arrested a former Little Caesars employee accused of breaking into the business on two occasions and selling pizzas for personal profit.
Three-month investigation leads to two arrests on drug charges
On Jan. 30, 2026, the Kinston Police Department Violent Crime Action Team concluded a three-month investigation into the distribution of cocaine, resulting in two arrests.
With assistance from the KPD SWAT Team, detectives executed search warrants at a residence in the 800 block of Darby Avenue and another location in the 300 block of Stough Alley.
Fifty-two-year-old Elgin Hart was located at the Darby Avenue residence. After a brief standoff, Hart was taken into custody without further incident. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a firearm, ammunition, and more than $5,000 in U.S. currency.
Hart was charged with:
Trafficking cocaine
Possession of a firearm by a felon
Possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine
Manufacturing cocaine
Possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana
Felony maintaining a dwelling
Felony conspiracy (four counts)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
The search warrant executed at the Stough Alley location resulted in the seizure of more than 270 grams of cocaine, approximately 10 grams of marijuana, drug-packaging paraphernalia, and $952 in U.S. currency. At the time of the search, 47-year-old Anthony Flowers was present and taken into custody.
Flowers was charged with:
Trafficking cocaine
Possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine
Manufacturing cocaine
Possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana
Felony maintaining a dwelling
Felony conspiracy (four counts)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Both Hart and Flowers are being held in the Lenoir County Jail.
Stabbing investigation leads to arrest
On Jan. 30, 2026, the Kinston Police Department A-Squad responded to a residence in the Mitchell Wooten area in reference to a reported stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers located a female victim who had sustained a stab wound to the face. The victim reported that 23-year-old Chelsea Albritton stabbed her following a prior disagreement.
Officers later located Albritton and conducted a traffic stop. She was taken into custody and charged with:
Assault with a deadly weapon
Communicating threats
Officers also served an unrelated order for arrest on Albritton.
Albritton is being held in the Lenoir County Jail.
Former Little Caesars employee arrested in breaking and entering case
On Feb. 1, 2026, the Kinston Police Department A-Squad responded to Little Caesars in reference to a breaking and entering.
Upon arrival, officers were advised that 41-year-old Jonathon Hackett, a former employee, had unlawfully entered the business on two separate occasions.
During the first incident, Hackett entered the business, prepared pizzas, sold them to customers, and kept the proceeds. During the second incident, Hackett again entered the business while it was occupied by employees. Employees attempted to prevent him from entering, which resulted in a physical altercation.
Hackett was treated at UNC Lenoir for injuries sustained during the altercation and was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Lenoir County Jail.
Hackett is being held on the following charges:
Breaking and or entering (felony)
Obtaining property by false pretenses (felony)
Larceny after breaking and entering (felony)
Breaking and entering (misdemeanor)
City curfew violation
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