Please be on the lookout for the holiday porch pirates. Below is a photograph of a vehicle used in stealing packages from porches in the West Road area this past weekend.
All in Crime
Suspect sought in breaking and entering case
On December 12th, 2020, at approximately 01:51 am, Officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to the report of a breaking and entering at 604 N. McLewean St. Upon arrival it was determined that an unknown subject entered the front door of the business and took assorted items.
Kinston Police seek help in identifying suspect
On December 11th, 2020, at approximately 09:36 pm, Officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to the report of a larceny located at 2410 N. Herritage St. Upon arrival it was determined that an unknown subject entered the store and took money from a register.
Lenoir County Sheriff's Office seeks help in identifying more subjects
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in identifying these suspects from a robbery at the Spins Inc. Sweepstakes on N.C. 11 North in Grifton that occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Lenoir County Sheriff's Office seeks help in recent robberies
Detectives have reviewed camera footage from stores related to recent robberies. This person was identified at the Dollar General in LaGrange on Sunday. He may have information that could assist with the on going investigation.
Local officials respond to Cooper's request for civil penalties
“What the governor is seeking to do is conniving and dangerous to everyone in the state who cherishes their freedoms and balance of government,” said Lenoir County Commissioner Eric Rouse. “Under the veil of public health, he is trying to expand his powers into areas of government that he would not otherwise be permitted to or have authority over.”
“We will be following the order for sure and talking to individuals that could be in violation. We will be warning individuals who are not following the order and if they continue, we will follow up with the enforcement action. Everyone must do their part,” said City of Kinston Mayor Don Hardy.
Man arrested for Sunday's Family Dollar robbery and Dec. 9 Dollar General robbery
On Sunday, Dec. 13, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office arrested one suspect in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at the Family Dollar Store in La Grange.
Hwy 11-55 Dollar General robbed at gunpoint
A robbery took place today at the Dollar General, 2633 N.C. 11-55, Kinston, at approximately 10 a.m. Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said the suspect is a thin Black male, who is approximately 6-foot to 6-foot, 1-inch tall. He entered the Dollar General with a backpack and robbed the store at gunpoint.
UPDATED: Three injured in two incidents in Lenoir County on Monday, victim identified
According to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, earlier today (Monday, Dec. 7, 2020), three people were injured in separate incidents being investigated by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. A little after 1 p.m., a county resident was killed by a gunshot on Beechnut Drive in Kinston. Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said the person who called in the shooting to 911, Clayton Fernando Clark Jr., 42, was charged with an open count of murder. There has been no bond set for Clark, who is being held at the W.E. “Billy” Smith Detention Center in Kinston. Around 90 minutes later, at 2:36 p.m., a bail bondsman who was attempting to retrieve a subject was struck by a vehicle driven by that subject on Lake Pines Drive in La Grange. The bondsman was injured in the incident and opened fire on the driver, who was also injured and taken to a local hospital.
Kinston Police investigate two armed robberies committed on the same night
On December 7th, 2020, at approximately 7:04 pm, Officers with the Kinston Police Department were dispatched to the report of an Armed Robbery at Family Dollar, 701 Plaza Blvd. in Kinston. On the same night at approximately 7:17 pm, Officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to the report of a second Armed Robbery at Dollar General, 2008 W. Vernon Ave. in Kinston.
BREAKING: Two injured in La Grange shooting on Monday afternoon
Two people were injured in La Grange shooting on Monday with one person taken for medical attention. The Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of a person shot in the road on Lake Pines Dr in La Grange.
BREAKING: Lenoir County Sheriff's Department investigates shooting death
On Monday afternoon Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting at 2400 Beechnut Drive. The shooting is under investigation and Neuse News can confirm that one person is dead.
Robert Lee Strother released from hospital, first court appearance
Robert Lee Strother had his first appearance in court this morning and is now being held at the W.E. “Billy” Smith Detention Center in Kinston. He was treated and released at a local hospital on Sunday after being taken into custody Saturday night near a residence on Banks School Road.
Suspect in custody: Robert Lee Strother is apprehended
Suspect Robert Lee Strother has been apprehended tonight. Strother, the subject of a man hunt by local law enforcement agencies in Lenoir and surrounding counties, shot LCSO Dep. Steven Key Thursday night and seriously wounding a Lenoir County resident Friday morning. Law enforcement searched for Strother throughout the day on Friday after locating the truck Strother stole.
Manhunt continues for Robert Lee Strother
***ARMED AND DANGEROUS***
The multi-agency manhunt for Robert Lee Strother continued throughout the night Friday into Saturday morning in the Kennedy Home Road corridor. As the sun rises over Lenoir County this morning, more agencies will be on hand to assist the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, including Greene County, said LCSO Maj. Ryan Dawson. He also asked for the public’s aid in apprehending Strother, who has multiple felony charges pending after shooting LCSO Dep. Steven Key Thursday night and seriously wounding a Lenoir County resident Friday morning and stealing his truck.
“If anyone has any tips about this case, please call 252-559-6118,” Dawson said. “We also appreciate the thoughts and prayers from Lenoir County residents the past couple of days in regards to this situation.”
LCSO Deputy shot in the line of duty
Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said that as daylight has faded to night, the manhunt continues for Robert Lee Strother.
The search continues inside the perimeter that has been established along the Kennedy Home Road corridor from Snake Road to Lang Skinner Road.
That search is being aided by night vision technology from several agencies, including the State Highway Patrol, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.
“We are truly appreciative of all these agencies that are helping us find Mr. Strother,” Ingram said.
KPD make arrest in recent Breaking and Entering case
On Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Officers were able to identify Howard Earl Coley, age 55 of Tarboro, NC as the subject responsible for 2 Breaking and Entering cases at 160 Hwy 58 S. Kinston, NC.
KPD makes arrest
UPDATED STATEMENT: After going before the Magistrate chargers were amended to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill and Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits.
ORIGINAL STATEMENT: On Monday, November 16, 2020 at 1:04 p.m., Kinston Police responded to the 100 BLK of W. King St. in reference to reports of shots fired. Officers arrived in the area and located a subject matching the description given by callers near the intersection of Bright St. and Queen St. That subject was identified as Timothy Allen Butler, age 53 of Kinston, NC. During the course of the investigation, officers determined that Mr. Butler and another subject got into an argument and at some point during the altercation; Mr. Butler pulled out a firearm and began firing at the victim.
Charges pending in November 15th shooting
On Sunday, November 15, 2020, at 12:16 am, officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to the 500 block of Laroque Avenue in reference to a subject who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers located Willie Sutton Jr., a 51-year-old male of Kinston suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper chest/arm area. A short time after, officers were notified that a 22-year-old male of Kinston was at UNC Lenoir with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. This subject was flown to Vidant Hospital and is currently in stable condition. These two incidents appear to be related and that Mr. Sutton was targeted. Charges are pending in this case.
Kinston Police seek information regarding recent case of Armed Robbery
On Friday, November 13, 2020, at 8:06 pm, officers were dispatched to the Dollar General, 405 E. King St. Kinston, N.C. in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival officers met with the store clerk who advised that a black male entered the store brandishing a handgun and demanding money.