Kinston Police Department Notable Arrest March 28–30, 2026
All in Crime
Update: Man Arrested for Felony Assault on Disabled Resident
Following an investigation, deputies determined that Austin Stanley Owens, who was acting as a caretaker at the time, used unreasonable force and had the ability to disengage from the situation. Owens was taken into custody and charged with Felony Assault on an Individual with a Disability.
LCSO: Arrest Made Following Suspicious Vehicle Call
On March 29, 2026, deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office A Shift responded to the area of Bank School Road in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
KPD: Traffic Stop Leads to DWI and Drug Charges
On March 27, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Kinston Police Department D-Squad officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to maintain lane control.
Narcotics Investigation Leads to Arrest of Pitt County Woman
On March 21, 2026, a 33-year-old Pitt County woman was arrested following a narcotics investigation into the distribution of illegal controlled substances throughout Lenoir County.
KPD: DWI Arrest Following Two-Vehicle Crash
On March 24, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department’s A-Squad responded to a two-vehicle motor vehicle crash at the intersection of NC Highway 58 and Cunningham Road.
KPD: Man Arrested for Damaging Cemetery Headstones
On March 24, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad responded to Maplewood Cemetery on South Queen Street in reference to a report of a masked male armed with two swords who was damaging headstones.
KPD: LaGrange Man Arrested For Drug Charges
On March 24, 2026, members of the Kinston Police Department’s VCAT conducted a traffic stop involving 22-year-old Broadus Bratton Jr. of LaGrange.
Pink Hill man faces animal cruelty charges after 20 dogs seized
A Lenoir County resident has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after multiple animals were found in severely emaciated conditions.
KPD: Trespassing Call at McDonald’s Leads to Arrest
On March 24, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to McDonald’s on Vernon Avenue in reference to a trespassing complaint. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the store manager, who advised that a male subject inside the business had been asked multiple times to leave but refused.
Kinston Police Department Arrest Recap: March 19–21, 2026
Kinston Police Department released its arrest recap for March 19-21, 2026.
LCSO: Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Two on Outstanding Warrants
On March 21, 2026, deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office received information from concerned citizens regarding possible wanted subjects in the area of Hardy Bridge Road.
LCSO: Traffic Stop Leads to Fentanyl Arrest
A traffic stop conducted by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Street Crimes and Rapid Response (SCARR) Team, resulted in the arrest of a Goldsboro man on narcotics charges.
Kinston Police Department | Weekly Notable Arrests
Here is a summary of notable arrests made by KPD officers this week:
Pitt County man was arrested following traffic stop
On March 17, 2026, Detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, in coordination with the Kinston Police Department VCAT Unit, were conducting proactive patrols in the area of Grifton Hugo Road. During patrol, detectives observed a white Ford Focus operating with a non-functioning driver-side headlight and initiated a traffic stop.
Kinston Police Department Weekend Arrest Recap
Over the weekend, KPD officers remained proactive in addressing crime and keeping our community safe. The following individuals were arrested and charged:
LCSO: Identity Theft Investigation Leads to Arrest in Lenoir County
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Johnston County woman following an investigation into an identity theft case involving a Lenoir County resident.
Narcotics Investigation Leads to Arrest of Lenoir County Man
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 46-year-old Lenoir County man following a joint narcotics investigation into the distribution of illegal controlled substances.
KPD: South Carolina Man Arrested for Methamphetamine
On March 9, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad conducted a traffic stop on East King Street involving 28-year-old Ryan Penny of Longs, South Carolina.
KPD: Operation Wintergreen – Seized Property and Search Locations
In reference to the media release from Operation Wintergreen, detectives from the Kinston Police Department have worked around the clock to process, inventory, and document the items collected during the execution of the search warrants. This was an extensive and detailed process that required a coordinated effort from patrol officers, investigators, evidence technicians, and administrative staff.