Warrant for Arrest Issued for Shoplifter

A warrant for arrest has been issued after a man was discovered shoplifting at Lowes.  Over the weekend, Loss Prevention at Lowes Hardware on Hwy 421 called Wilkesboro Police regarding a shoplifter.  A white male was observed inside Lowes taking an electric drill and a ratchet set and concealing them in his coat.  When store employees tried to confront the man, he ran from the scene.  Police viewed video surveillance and were able to identify the man who stole the tools.  A warrant has been issued for his arrest and charges are pending for larceny.  The stolen tools were valued at 300 dollars. 

Stolen Tools and Cash

The local vehicle break-ins are continuing.  Recently, the Sheriff’s Department has received several reports.  A North Wilkesboro resident was having mechanical trouble with his Ford truck and left it at Porters Grocery store overnight.  When he returned the next day, someone had broken into his tool box and had stolen a tool belt and miscellaneous tools valued at 225 dollars.  A car was also entered at a Thurmond residence on Hwy 21.  Overnight someone entered the locked Dodge pickup through the back sliding glass window.  The thief was kind enough to leave the pocketbook but they did take the 30 dollars in cash from inside.  There are no suspects in either theft and the Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Santa At WCC

The public is invited to visit with Santa Claus on the campus of Wilkes Community College on Sunday, December 4, from 2-4 p.m. at the Waldon Christmas Caboose located on the lower campus near the children’s playground. Children will have the opportunity to get their photo made with Santa and to share their Christmas wishes with him.  WCC Rotaract Club will be taking photos for purchase as a club fundraiser or parents may bring their own cameras to use in taking photos.  “The WCC Rotaract Club is a service club for students,” says Beth Foster, one of the club’s advisor. “The fundraisers held by the club help benefit local efforts such as Samaritan’s Kitchen to provide food for the needy; campus activities such as Clean Sweep of Collegiate Drive; and international projects such as Heifer International, which works with communities to end hunger and poverty. The Rotaract Club is affiliated with the Rotary Club.”  For additional information on this event or on the Rotaract Club, contact Beth Foster, club advisor, at 336-838-6173 or beth.foster@wilkescc.edu.  Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. 

Just Add Water

According to the www.supsports.com website, anywhere there is H20 you can stand up paddle board.  Wonder if that would work at W Kerr Scott Lake or on the Yadkin River?  Anyway, it worked this past weekend at the North Carolina Coast.  Stand Up Paddleboard competitors from three nations, ten states and the District of Columbia, enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's for the inaugural NC Surf to Sound Challenge.  Shawn Spencer, Race Chairman, said:  "Over 107 racers joined us in this benefit FOR Masonboro Island."  William Pope, Director for the World Paddle Association said: "It has been amazing to watch how quickly the stand up paddleboard (SUP) sport has grown throughout the country, especially in the Wrightsville Beach area. "  The Surf to Sound Challenge was sanctioned by the WPA (World Paddle Association).

Sen Hagan from NC on Super Committee Failure

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) commented after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announced they were unable to reach an agreement on a proposal to lower the deficit by $1.2 trillion.  “Disappointed only begins to describe how I feel about the Super Committee’s failure to come together to get our fiscal house in order,” said Hagan. “We should be ashamed. This was a critical moment for our country’s future — instead it has become a huge lost opportunity. The American people expect and deserve better. Last week, I joined over 100 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to urge the Super Committee to ‘go big’ on deficit reduction. We stood for a bipartisan solution that would set us on a sustainable fiscal course and signal to the world we can still tackle our biggest tasks. Instead, the American people got more of the same.  It is well past time for Democrats and Republicans to set aside partisan differences and Washington cynicism for the sake of our country’s long-term economic stability.”  Those comments from NC Senator Kay Hagan.

Fallen Glasses and Airborne Car

One man from Deep Gap was taken to WRMC after his car went airborne on Saturday in Wilkesboro.  According to the report filed with the Wilkesboro Police Department, Tommy Robbins was traveling west on Hwy 421 when he went off the road to the right.  The ’94 Chevrolet Robbins was driving then hit a culvert and went airborne over the Empire Dodge access road.  The vehicle landed on the side of the road and rolled over twice before landing right side up.  Robbins told police that he was adjusting his glasses, dropped them in the floor, and reached to pick them up.  The next thing he remembers is everyone asking him if he was OK.  Again, Robbins was transported by Wilkes EMS to Wilkes Regional with non-life-threatening injuries.  Damages to his car are listed at 8000 dollars.

Break-In Twice in One Year

A Purlear homeowner says his property has been broken into twice within a year.  Both break-ins are similar but there are no known suspects.  In the latest break-in, the homeowner who lives out of town arrived to find the lock cut off the gate to the driveway and the back door to the residence was kicked open.  Numerous things were taken from inside the house including tools and hunting and fishing supplies.  Also the storage building at the same location was entered and a riding mower was stolen.  The orange riding mower was valued at 1200 dollars.  Again, it appears the same burglar came calling at the same house twice in one year, but the identity of that repeat thief is unknown.

Repeated Well Cover Problems

Apparently, someone is bound and determined that Ferguson Fire Department will not have a well cover.  Recently, a member of the Ferguson Fire Department called the Sheriff’s Department with a theft and damage to property.  When a deputy arrived to investigate, he was shown where the cement block wall built around the well pump had been kicked in causing 200 dollars in damages.  The reason the cement block wall was built was because the plastic well cover valued at 250 dollars had been stolen just 2 weeks earlier.  There is no word on suspects.

Thefts of the Seasons

It is interesting how home break-ins and the things stolen seem to go along with the seasons.  In hot weather, air conditioners were stolen, and now in colder weather, heaters are stolen.  Recent case in point, a resident on the Country Club Road reported a theft.  The homeowner returned home to find the window in the back door was broken out.  The thief had broken the door window so they could reach in and unlock the door.  Once inside, the thief stole only an Eden Pure Heater valued at 350 dollars.  Damages to the door were estimated at 50 dollars.  Again only the heater was stolen and there are no suspects.  The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Failed to Get Inside So Stole from Outside

At a residence on the Golf Course Road, a thief tried but failed in an attempt to get inside the house.  So, they just stole what they could find outside.  The homeowner returned home and found property missing and saw where someone had used a mop handle to try and break in the side door of the home.  Entrance was not gained inside the house; however, the thief did take from outside the house 9 Mickey Thompson wheels and tires valued at 1500 dollars.  The Wilkes Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft.