All in Crime
On July 25, 2025, officers with the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad responded to a residence on Duggins Drive in reference to a reported motor vehicle theft. While officers were on scene taking the report, the vehicle owner was able to provide GPS location data showing the stolen vehicle’s location in Jones County, North Carolina.
On July 25, 2025, officers with the Kinston Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle previously linked to a disturbance call. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers made contact with the driver, identified as 52-year-old John Holmes of Snow Hill, North Carolina.
Following the recent shooting incident in the St. Johns area, investigators identified Sentelle Leonard (25 of Goldsboro) as the primary suspect. Detectives secured arrest warrants for Leonard on the following charges:
The Jones County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of a scam involving someone falsely claiming to be one of our deputies—possibly using names like “Lt. Burner” or “Sgt. Bonniville.”
Following an internal review conducted by the Kinston Police Department Administration and the department's Internal Affairs Division, the following information is being released to provide transparency and support the actions taken by responding officers during a recent critical incident.
Early Sunday at approximately 3:15 a.m., Kinston officers responded to a domestic-related call on the 1300 block of Manchester Road where a male suspect armed with a firearm threatened a female resident. When the suspect produced the weapon upon officers’ arrival, they discharged their service weapons, fatally wounding him. The SBI and KPD’s internal affairs division are now conducting independent and internal investigations, and both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
On July 17, 2025, at approximately 10:25 p.m., members of the Kinston Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Cunningham Road near Highway 11 North for motor vehicle violations.
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office B Shift assisted the Lenoir County Fire Marshal in the arrest of 40-year-old Steven Glenn Pollard of Lenoir County.
On July 16, 2025, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office C Shift deputies arrested Skyler Sann, 29, at The Fuel Warehouse gas station in Kinston.
On July 11, 2025, a jury found Torrence Howard guilty of First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The charges stemmed from the 2021 murder of Gabrielle Wendt, who was tragically killed in her home.
On July 16, 2025, officers from the Kinston Police Department’s D-Squad responded to an anonymous tip regarding a wanted individual in the Mitchell Wooten area. Upon arrival, officers located and safely took Eddie Mills into custody without incident. Mills was wanted on 11 active Orders for Arrest.
On July 16, 2025, at approximately 5:11 p.m., officers with the Kinston Police Department’s D-Squad conducted a traffic stop on McDaniels Street involving 31-year-old Jyair Smith. During the stop, K9 Kio performed an exterior sniff around the vehicle and alerted his handler to the presence of narcotics.
A Kinston man who serves as both a city employee and local pastor is in jail without bond following his arrest on multiple felony charges, including rape, kidnapping, and assault with a firearm.
On July 15, 2025, at approximately 9:32 p.m., the Kinston Police Department responded to a report of a 12-year-old male who was shot while at Sam’s Mini Mart (1419 N. Queen Street). The victim was at the store with his mother at the time of the incident.
On Thursday, July 10th, a registered sex offender was arrested in Lenoir County for failing to report a change of address, as required by law.
On July 12, 2025, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office B-Shift deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 258 North after spotting a vehicle with a handwritten license plate and equipment violations.
The Kinston Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that occurred near the intersection of Queen Street and Daniels Street.
A Kinston police officer has resigned following a DWI arrest stemming from an off-duty incident last month.
On July 30, 2025, Kinston Police officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 1300 block of McAdoo Street. Upon arrival, officers located Jamell Howard, 37, of Kinston, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Howard was transported to ECU Health for treatment while detectives initiated an investigation.
The Kinston Police Department (KPD) is aware of a video circulating on social media that depicts an incident involving one of our officers and the use of force. We understand that this video has generated significant public interest and concern.
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