Empire Nissan Employee Arrested for Borrowing SUV

An unauthorized test drive lands a car dealership employee in jail. Wilkesboro police were called to Empire Nissan recently, after 23-year old Justin Douglas was accused by another employee of taking a 2006 Nissan Murano S-U-V from the dealership without permission. According to the other employee, Gail Laws, Douglas and another man, Lee parker, came into the dealership and simply drove out in the S-U-V. He returned while the officer was at the dealership writing up the incident, and was arrested at the direction of Ms. Laws. As the officer was getting ready to handcuff him, Douglas produced two small baggies of marijuana from his pockets. He's charged with two misdemeanor counts -- unauthorized use of a vehicle and drug possession.

Mailboxes Bashed All Over

Of all the crimes investigated by Wilkes deputies over the holiday weekend, the most frequently-reported one was mailbox vandalism. A total of 24 mailboxes were battered, knocked down, run over, or otherwise damaged throughout the county. Some of the case are related, but many do not appear to be connected at this time.

The group of connected vandalism cases affected 13 homeowners along Austin Traphill Road late Friday night or Saturday morning. The first one in the group called deputies just before 6 a-m Saturday. Homes starting in the 58-hundred block, extending through the 62-hundred, 63-hundred, 65-hundred, 66-hundred, 67-hundred, 71-hundred, 72-hundred and 75-hundred blocks had suffered damage. In all the cases but one, the homeowners learned of the damage by a deputy knocking on their door to tell them about it. None heard any noises during the night, and no one was able to offer a possible suspect name.

Deputies have arrested a person in connection with another mailbox bashing, this one at a cricket business. Lyalls Cycle Shop reported the damage to their mailbox early Saturday. As deputies were investigating that, they found another mailbox damaged a few blocks up Boone Trail, and a semi trailer outside Carolina Cycle Supply painted with obscene graffiti. Two teens, Kyle Parker McMillion and Dustin Johnson, admitted to being the culprits in all three instances. Deputies called their parents and made arrangements to get the graffiti painted over.

The other mailbox bashings affected homeowners in the Oak Ridge Church Road, Thurmond Road, Brer Fox Trail, Roope Ridge Road, and Glen Dancy Road vicinities. All the cases are listed as under investigation.

Fence Damaged by Speeding Vehicle

Wilkesboro police believe a speeding driver is responsible for significant damage to a gate outside a local business. They were called to The Welding Company about 5:30 this morning after the damage was discovered. The officer's report indicates he believes a vehicle hit the fence after trying to round the curve on Old 421, and went straight through the gate instead. There was a set of tire marks behind the fence where it appeared the vehicle had U-turned following the accident. Police say they have no other information on the situation at this time, and ask anyone who may have seen a speeding vehicle in that area a while before sunrise this morning to give them a call.

Troxler Urges Storm Preparation

Weather forecasters are watching an area of disturbed weather off Bermuda, with a slight concern it could become a tropical storm. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today advised farmers, particularly in the eastern part of the state, to take steps to guard against damage from the system.

“At this point, we don’t know for certain if this weather system will affect North Carolina, but there are general emergency preparations every farmer can take to protect their farms and families from damaging weather,” Troxler said. “Now is the time to review emergency plans with your family and workers, and make sure your equipment and animals are secure.”

It isn’t clear whether the low-pressure system will organize into a tropical storm. Meteorologists say that if the system becomes more organized, it could affect North Carolina by late Saturday or early Sunday.

Farmers have been busy trying to harvest what they can from their fields, but they also need to make preparations for their families, equipment and buildings, and have backup plans for electricity for their curing barns and other critical farm facilities, Troxler said. In addition, livestock operations should begin implementing their specific emergency plans, securing backup generators and assessing their on-site feed capabilities.

Troxler reminded farmers that they should have a transfer switch properly installed so they can use a generator. A properly installed transfer switch is critical for the protection of farm facilities and utility workers, he said.

Farmers are also encouraged to add the phone number of their county emergency management office to their list of important numbers. If necessary, county emergency management offices will be coordinating emergency crop and livestock assistance, including requests for generators.

Little Dipper Break-In

Sheriff deputies have no suspects so far in the break-in of a local eatery. The burglar alarm at the Little Dipper went off early yesterday morning. IN spite of it taking a deputy only four minutes to get there, the thief has already scrambled away. A concrete block had been thrown through the drive-up window, and both cash registers had been pried open. The owner says about 200-dollars worth of bills and rolled coins were stolen from the registers. Damage to the store will cost almost a thousand dollars to fix.

Couple Arrested After Fight

Both the boyfriend and girlfriend involved in a weekend domestic dispute in Wilkes ended up being hauled to jail. Danielle Weyker and Jesse Cortner were arrested after a neighbor called deputies to their home on Boone Trail Friday night. According to the crime report, the deputy could see each had been injured. Weyker claimed Cortner had pulled an earring from her ear lobe and bitten her on the arm. Cortner had scratches on his face and back. Deputies say both were arrested for assault, and taken to jail without incident.

Road Rage Confrontation

Wilkes sheriff deputies are investigating an apparent case of road rage that fortunately ended without either driver being hurt. What happened depends on whose version of events you believe. A deputy was sent to meet one of the men Sunday along highway 421. Christopher Hurley says he was merging onto 421 westbound from the 421 Business route, and a green Chevy pickup was following him too close. He tapped his brakes to get the other driver to back off. The other driver, John Drolet of Millers Creek, says Hurley cut him off as he was finishing moving some furniture, and if he hadn't slammed on his own brakes, he would have hit Hurley form behind.

Either way, the vehicles stopped alongside the road, and Drolet got out to confront Hurley. Hurley says the other man smacked his window with an open hand, and threatened that if such a thing ever happened again, he'd "come through the window" and get Hurley. Drolet admits to the verbal confrontation, but does not agree with Hurley's other statements.

Hurley followed Drolet home, and after seeing where he lived, called for a deputy. The deputy went with Hurley to the house, where Drolet at first would not admit to being part of the incident. Then he gave his story, taking each item claimed by Hurley and toning it down a bit. When the deputy asked Drolet to apologize fro what happened, he did, but Hurley says he wasn't convinced. Nevertheless, the matter didn't cause any damage or injury, so the deputy's role was done. He did tell Hurley how to contact a magistrate and file a warrant on Drolet if he chose to do so.

Man Arrested, Forged Checks Alleged

A North Wilkesboro man is jailed, following the discovery of two forged checks. Wilkesboro Police were called to the jail as David Allen Shew was being booked by sheriff deputies for an unrelated crime. They learned Shew had also been accused of taking two checks from his employer, Backwoods Kustoms, forging his boss' signature, and cashing them. One had been cashed at Mike's Bait & Tackle, and another had been cashed at Wachovia Bank. The total loss was 400-dollars. Shew stands charged with a number of fraud charges in relation to the two checks.

Man Seriously Hurt, Suspects Sought

Wilkes county sheriff deputies have very little to go on concerning the critical injuries caused to a man when he was assaulted Sunday night. Gary Hendren was seen briefly at Wilkes Regional Medical Center before being sent to Baptist in Winston-Salem, as he had a severe head injury and possible bleeding inside the skull. as of when they filed a report of the crime, deputies hadn't even been able to talk to Hendren directly. Family members who have talked with Hendren tell deputies two Wilkesboro men are responsible for the assault. Deputies are not releasing their names at this time due to the ongoing investigation. Deputies have also been told the location of the assault, which was outside a home -- not Hendren's house, and not the home of the suspected attackers. They do not know why the beating happened.

Man Attacked with Knife

A North Wilkesboro man was rushed to Winston-Salem for emergency surgery after being slashed with a box cutter by a man who was trying to rob him. Terry Vicks was accosted outside his home on Eagle Lane Friday evening. He says he was walking up the driveway and was approached by two black men, who said he owed them money and they were there to collect. He told the two he didn't owe any money, and had no plans to give them any. One of the pair pulled a box cutter and tried to stab Vicks, who threw up an arm to block the attempt. But the knife got him in the right hand. The two ran off. He went to the Fast Track on Old 60, where the clerk called for help. Vicks was unable to describe his attackers, except to say they were black men, one of whom had a large build and stood about 6-feet-2-inches tall. They have not been seen since.