Kinston Police Department: Recent arrests
Traffic Stop Leads to DWI Arrest and Assault on Officers
On June 27, 2026, at approximately 10:12 p.m., the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Lenoir Avenue and Raleigh Street for a stop sign violation.
Officers made contact with the driver, Terence Phillips. During the stop, Phillips advised officers there was an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle.
Officers then requested the passenger, Ramonda Platt, exit the vehicle. Platt refused to comply with lawful commands. As officers attempted to remove her from the vehicle, she actively resisted and assaulted officers. Platt was ultimately taken into custody.
A search incident to arrest led to the discovery of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Platt was transported to the Lenoir County Jail and charged with:
- Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Resisting a Public Officer
Officers continued their investigation and determined Phillips was impaired while operating the vehicle. Following a DWI investigation, Phillips was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. He was charged with:
- Driving While Impaired
- Open Container of Alcohol
- Driving While License Revoked
- Stop Sign Violation
Woman Arrested After Attempted Break-In and Assault on Officer
On June 27, 2026, at approximately 10:42 p.m., the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad responded to a report of a breaking and entering in progress at an apartment in the 900 block of East Shine Street.
The caller reported that the suspect was removing a window air conditioning unit and attempting to gain entry into the residence. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect, 25-year-old Andrea Walker, actively attempting to climb through the window.
As officers attempted to take Walker into custody, she actively resisted. Even after being restrained, Walker continued resisting as officers attempted to place her into a patrol vehicle. During the struggle, she kicked an officer in the face and head multiple times, causing injury.
Walker was eventually secured, medically cleared, and transported to the Lenoir County Jail without bond for the following:
- Breaking and Entering
- Felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Resisting a Public Officer
Maryland Driver Faces DWI and Multiple Drug Charges
On June 27, 2026, at approximately 2:53 p.m., the Kinston Police Department's D-Squad responded to the area of U.S. Highway 70 following reports of a vehicle committing traffic violations.
Officers located the vehicle and observed several motor vehicle violations before conducting a traffic stop. The driver was identified as 65-year-old Juan Hernandez of Beltsville, Maryland.
During the investigation, officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle. The search led to the discovery of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and drug parahernalia.
Hernandez was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was charged with:
- Felony Maintaining a Vehicle
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Felony Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
- Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Felony Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
- Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Driving While Impaired
Bicyclist Arrested After Attempting to Flee from Officers
On June 27, 2026, at approximately 2:01 a.m., the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad observed a bicyclist impeding traffic in the area of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Gordon Street.
Officers made contact with the bicyclist, who was identified as 52-year-old Robert Etheridge. During the encounter, Etheridge attempted to flee but was quickly taken into custody.
A search incident to arrest led to the discovery of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Etheridge was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was charged with:
- Impeding Traffic
- Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic Stop Leads to Cocaine Arrest
On June 26, 2026, the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop on Highland Avenue near Queen Street for a registration violation.
After the traffic stop was completed, the driver, 36-year-old Aaron Council of Snow Hill, consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Council was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was charged with:
- Felony Possession of Cocaine
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Open Container of Alcohol
Traffic Stop Leads to Methamphetamine Arrest
On June 26, 2026, at approximately 9:54 p.m., the Kinston Police Department's Violent Crime Action Team conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of J.P. Harrison Boulevard.
Officers made contact with the driver, 40-year-old Lamar Rouse. During the traffic stop, K9 Knox conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics.
A subsequent search led to the discovery of more than six grams of methamphetamine on Rouse's person.
Rouse was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was charged with:
- Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine
- Felony Maintaining a Vehicle
