Detectives Ask For Info In Break-In Case

Detectives with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office want your help in solving a break-in where two pistols, one shotgun, two rifles, and even a pair of handcuffs were stolen from a Reidsville man. The Sheriff's Office reports that the break-in was reported at the home of Larry Michael, who lives at 1616 Iron Works Road west of Reidsville, NC. Goods stolen from Michael's home were a Glock .45 caliber handgun; a Keltec .9mm handgun; a Mossburg .12 gauge shotgun; a Remington 30-06 rifle; a Ruger .22 caliber rifle; a set of Smith & Wesson handcuffs; a Safariland leather belt and holster; 2 rifle scopes; a 52" Panasonic television; a PlayStation gaming system; a Toshiba laptop computer; and a Nintendo gaming system.

Detective Dan Hardy has been assigned to the break-in case, and he's asking anyone with information to give him a call at (336) 634-3232 or Crime Stoppers at (336) 349-9683.

LifeLock Settles With Thirty-Five States

A popular company that sponsors TV commercials which guarantee they can help protect your identity has reached a settlement a court settlement about their services.

The company is called LifeLock, and they must stop misrepresenting services they sell to protect people from identity theft, thanks to an agreement reached with the State of North Carolina, thirty-four other states, and the Federal Trade Commission. State Attorney General Roy Cooper announced Tuesday, March 9, that consumers who paid for LifeLock services will also get $11 million in refunds.

The way it worked: LifeLock sold identity theft services for $10 a month or $110 a year, and advertisements claimed their services were "guaranteed" to protect consumers' personal information and prevent criminals from using it to open accounts in their names. Some ads even included CEO Todd Davis' Social Security Number which, Davis said, showed how confident he was in LifeLock's identity theft protection.

Cooper and other state attorneys general began looking into LifeLock a year before in early 2009 because of concerns about misleading statements in the company's advertisements. The states, led by North Carolina and Illinois, worked with the FTC on the investigation and settlement. People who signed up and paid for LifeLock services between April 1, 2005, and March 30, 2009, will have an opportunity to get their money back. LifeLock will pay $11 million to the FTC for consumer refunds and another $1 million to the states – including $100,000 to North Carolina for investigative costs and consumer protection efforts.

Those eligible for a refund will get a letter from the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission.

Debra Buchanan's Haircut

Debra Buchanan, supervisor for the Horsepasture District of Henry County, VA, serving as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors – and long-time Star News personality – finally got her famously long hair cut short on Monday, March 8, in preparation of undergoing chemotherapeutical treatments for her recently diagnosed ovarian cancer. We present a before-and-after photo slideshow, plus video of our interview with her only moments after the big snip and the new style.

Stoneville Man Charged With Stealing Body Lotion

A Stoneville, NC, area man was arrested by Eden Police officers on Sunday, March 7, after he was accused of taking 3 bottles of body lotion without paying for them. Gary Wayne Tilley, Jr., – who lists his address as 371 Settlement Loop Road in Stoneville – was arrested at the Food Lion in Eden on Sunday and charged with Shoplifting. According to the warrant released by the Eden Police Department, Tilley concealed three bottles of Nivea Body Lotion – the property of Food Lion – while he was still on the premises and having not purchased the merchandise. Tilley was confined in the Rockingham County Jail under a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on Tuesday, March 23.

Traffic Stop Nets Drug Charges

Christopher Lee Smith of 660 Beaver Creek Road in Mayodan, NC, was arrested in Eden by Eden Police officers on Sunday, March 7, charged with Possession Of Cocaine and Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. According to the arresting officer, Smith was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and a crack pipe. After the items were allegedly found during the traffic stop, Smith was placed under arrest, and he was taken before a county magistrate who set his bond at $2,500 unsecured. He's scheduled to appear in District Court on Wednesday, March 24.

County Employees Must Take Furloughs

In news out of Rockingham County, NC, the News & Record reports that all county government employees must take off two days without pay this spring because of ongoing budgetary constraints. The newspaper said the announcement came Monday, March 8, from Rockingham County Government. County offices will be closed on Monday, April 5, and Friday, May 28 – these dates being selected in order to extend legal holidays, allowing the county to close buildings for four consecutive days and save energy. Offices that will remain open on those days for the safety and convenience of residents: the Sheriff's Office, Emergency Services, the Board of Elections, and the county landfill.

Scholarship Endowed For Reidsville Students

A former Reidsville, NC, resident has endowed a scholarship for disadvantaged students at Rockingham Community College. Dr. Dorothy Haith – a Reidsville native who now resides in Perry, GA – created the scholarship for graduating seniors at Reidsville High School. In announcing the Dorothy M. Haith Scholarship at Rockingham Community College, she said, "I want this scholarship to help make a difference in the lives of students in my hometown by making a college education more accessible to them."

Dr. Haith is a graduate of the former Booker Washington High School in Reidsville. She then continued her education at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina Central University in Durham and the University of London in London, England. She later went on to earn a doctorate in information services from Bloomington University in Indiana.

The Dorothy M. Haith Scholarship will be awarded annually to seniors from Reidsville High School and is renewable for up to two years of study at RCC. To qualify, recipients must be enrolled full-time in any RCC program of study leading to a degree or diploma and demonstrate financial need – and must demonstrate a potential for success in higher education. To make a gift to the scholarship, or for more information, contact Gaye Clifton at Rockingham Community College.

Update: Woman Commits Suicide In Hospital Lot

In a follow-up to a story we featured on Tuesday, March 2, about an afternoon incident at Annie Penn Hospital, we now have the official information as to what happened from the Reidsville Police Department. Captain Ken Hanks, Chief of Detectives for the Reidsville Police, told us today that the Tuesday afternoon response of officers and detectives was because of a suicide that occurred in the parking lot.

It all happened at 3:27pm when a 25-year-old woman shot herself in the front parking lot of the Annie Penn Hospital – on the Maple Avenue side – and she died from the gunshot wound. The police department has pieced together that the suicide victim took another individual to the hospital for medical treatment, and while that person was inside the hospital receiving treatment, the 25-year-old woman shot herself. When the individual who was receiving medical treatment returned to the car, that's when the suicide was discovered, and that's when the police were notified.

Although Star News doesn't normally cover suicides, in this case, since it occurred in a public place, we made the decision to let the public know exactly what happened in order to eliminate rumors. However, out of dignity to the deceased and the family, we made the further decision to withhold the name of the suicide victim.

Gasoline Prices Will Climb Soon

If you've enjoyed the relatively settled prices of gasoline lately, prepare yourself – they're about to go higher. But it doesn't look like they will be as high as in recent years' past – unless unforeseen circumstances jump in the way. AAA Carolinas president and CEO David Parsons says that conditions are not dramatically different from last year, thus we can expect a rise in gas prices in upcoming weeks. However, Parsons added that motorists should be prepared for gasoline prices to climb upward significantly as the summer travel season approaches.

In 2009, gas prices were $1.89 around March, and they peaked at $2.65 in mid-June. North Carolina motorists faced an average 5¢-a-week increase over a 16-week period heading into the summer of 2009. Gas prices have been relatively stable with a 5¢-a-gallon range throughout February.

No Arrests Reported In Teen's Shooting

Rockingham County Sheriff's detectives are still on the case of a teenager shot near his home south of Reidsville, NC, on Monday night, March 1. As Star News reported, 17-year-old Jarod Moyer received two gunshot wounds to his lower body. He was taken to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page told us that it appears his medical condition is better than initially thought.

Another news source spoke to a member of the family on Tuesday, March 2 – Jarod Moyer's brother – who said that Jarod is talking to family members and in good spirits.

Moyer, who lives on Lorraine Drive in the Colonial Village Mobile Home Park which is south of Reidsville, was shot twice by three or four people wearing ski masks on Monday night. Rockingham County deputies were called to his home after witnesses reported seeing some sort of fight around 8:15pm. Deputies found Jarod Moyer lying in a fetal position with bystanders attempting to provide first aid to his wounds. The two gunshots were to the lower portion of his body, and it appears that he was pistol-whipped as well.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers.

Death, Possibly Suicide

Thanks to our eagle-eyed Star News viewers, we've learned that an emergency situation requiring the police happened in the parking lot of Annie Penn Hospital Tuesday afternoon, March 2. We spoke to a representative of the Reidsville Police who could not give us any official information, but we've been able to piece together that someone died in the parking lot, possibly by suicide.

It happened at a little after 3pm near the flagpole in the front of the hospital on the Maple Avenue side of the building. When we called the Reidsville Police Department and spoke to someone in investigations, we were told that the situation had just occurred, and that police investigators – including crime scene investigators – were on the scene at the hospital.

It doesn't appear that anything criminal has occurred, but we cannot confirm that – we were told that crime scene investigators are on the scene as a precaution.

We've put in a call to Captain Ken Hanks of the Reidsville Police Department who was at the scene where the body was located, and we hope to bring you the latest news on the situation as it becomes available.

Teen Shot Twice By Masked Culprits

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office has an investigation underway on who shot a teenager south of Reidsville, NC, on Monday night, March 1 – and why.

The 17-year-old, Jarod Moyer, was shot and pistol-whipped during a fight outside the home which is on Lorraine Drive running just off Magnolia Drive in the Colonial Village Mobile Home Park. The Sheriff's Office reports that witnesses said three or four people wearing ski masks attacked Moyer around 8:15pm. When deputies arrived, people were trying to give first aid to Jarod Moyer who had been shot twice in the lower part of his body. In addition to the gunshot wounds, it appears that Moyer was pistol-whipped with the blunt end of a weapon. Moyer was taken to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, but his condition is unknown at this time.

Several people deemed as suspects fled the scene, and while K-9s were brought to the scene to track them, it appears they were already gone. If you have any information – contact the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers of Rockingham County.

Debra Buchanan Fights Forward

Long-time Star News personality Debra Buchanan – also the Horsepasture District Supervisor in Henry County, VA, and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors – was at a Trade Show early Tuesday, March 2. Although she's battling ovarian cancer, she remains in high spirits, and is preparing for beginning chemotherapy treatments soon. However, it's possible she'll make a surprise visit to her morning TV show, Good Morning, Good Morning!, on Star News Martinsville (WGSR 47.4) sometime next week. Stay tuned to find out!

Martinsville Police Warn Of Scams

In news from Southside Virginia, the Martinsville Police Department has received a report of an attempted check-cashing scam involving a potential victim from the city.

The police department says a Martinsville resident posted an online advertisement on craigslist about an apartment for rent, and after some e-mail correspondence with an individual who claimed to be interested in the apartment, the Martinsville resident received a cashier's check. The check, believed to be fraudulent, was allegedly issued by the Teachers Credit Union in Indiana for $4,500 – way above the amount needed for the deposit on the apartment.

Police caution anyone receiving any form of payment from an unknown source to be suspicious of the source and assume that it is likely an attempt at fraud. Martinsville Police Chief Mike Rogers said, "If you receive a check, money order, or any form of payment from an unidentified source or from a distant location, be very suspect of this; someone is probably trying some type of scam." Chief Rogers added that you should never accept any funds from an unknown source or in an amount far exceeding the payment expected.

Martinsville Police officers encourage residents who come across this type of activity to retain as much information as possible, and file a report with the local law enforcement agency.

Crime Blotter From The Eden Police Department

Accused Of Knock-Down Drag-Out

The Eden Police Department had a busy weekend, and that included the arrest of a city man for allegedly assaulting a woman and then falsly imprisoning her. On Saturday, February 27, Shawn Michael Gearheart of 129 Piedmont Street in Eden was arrested for Assault, False Imprisonment, and Injury To Personal Property. According to the warrants filed by the Eden Police, Gearheart supposedly assaulted Theresa Denton by dragging her by the hair, grabbing her, and pushing her down, then biting her. Then, Gearheart is accused of unlawfully restraining Denton from leaving the premises of 1014 Georgia Avenue, Apartment 3, by blocking the door and not allowing her to leave the bedroom. Finally, Gearheart is accused of damaging a 2007 Nissan Versa's left passenger door and a Motorola cellular phone. His bond and mugshot were not available at time of publication.

Alleged BB Gun Assault

Then on Sunday, February 28, a man from Miles Street was arrested for pointing a BB gun at two people. John Curtis Priddy of 733 Miles Street in Eden was arrested on two counts of Assault. Priddy allegedly assaulted Sherry Priddy and Johnny Artis by pointing a BB gun at the two of them. Priddy was confined in the Rockingham County Jail under a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on Wednesday, March 24.

Moving Out Of House, Stuff Gets Stolen

A man who used to live on Harris Street in Eden called police to report that someone stole some of his belongings. Robert Dalton who now lives in Morrisville, NC, reported to the Eden Police that someone broke into a house that he used to live in at 960 Harris Street. Dalton was in the process of moving out of the house when he discovered that entry was made through a bedroom window and someone stole his 27-inch Fisher television, a 3-disc CD changer/player, a toaster oven, and a jar of $20 in coins. The Eden Police reports that they do have a suspect in the case and their investigation continues.

Main Street Coordinator Named For Reidsville

The City of Reidsville, NC, has named a city resident to take over the duties of Main Street Manager and Events Coordinator for the downtown area. City Manager Kelly Almond made the announcement Monday, March 1, that Terresia Scoble is now in the new job. Almond said the revamped position combines the full-time job vacated by Marketing Director Tammy Spencer and the part-time job of Events Coordinator vacated by Diana Moran, making it one full time position. He said this new position will be focused strictly on the downtown area.

Almond went on to say that Scoble is well qualified to take on these responsibilities: she's been a volunteer member of the Reidsville Downtown Cooperation board for several years and is currently the president of that board. She has been active in the efforts of several committees of the Reidsville Downtown Corporation, and has served on and chaired several other advisory commissions of the city.

Almond said that Scoble has what he called, "a great feel for where we are going and how to get us there" – that he's impressed with her enthusiasm and energy, and is pleased that a local resident will lead the program.

Man Wanted For Home Improvement Scamming – May Be In Danville

It looks like a man who is accused of exploiting senior citizens in the Greensboro, NC, area may be in the Danville, VA, area.

Greensboro Police detectives have warrants in hand for Gary Anderson Barker, Jr. Barker is wanted on two counts of Exploit Elder Trust, and one count of Obtaining Property By False Pretense. The charges against Barker are all part of his alleged involvement with what police call home-improvement-related scams. Detectives say that Barker operates or works with several businesses including American Hammer, Top House Home Improvement, House Top Home Improvement, and AT-Top Roofing.

Greensboro detectives believe that Barker is currently working on houses in Guilford and Wake Counties in North Carolina, and it looks like he could be just across the state line in the Danville area. Police believe he's driving a white 1998 GMC S-10 pick-up truck with a purple tailgate and a Virginia license plate. Anyone who sees Barker should contact your local law enforcement agency.

Officials Caution Residents About Illegal "Gold Parties"

The Henry County Sheriff's Office and Martinsville Police Department want to warn residents about illegal and potentially fraudulent activity taking place in the community concerning something called gold parties. A joint release from the county and city in Virginia says that a number of reports have surfaced recently of "gold parties" taking place at homes, apartment buildings, hotels and conference centers. In these "gold parties" individuals are encouraged to bring their scrap or unwanted gold and/or precious stones and jewelry to sell for cash or trade, mainly because of the recent trend of rising gold prices.

Martinsville Police Captain Eddie Cassady said that interest in gold prices may have spiked because of tough economic times and high rates of unemployment, and these gold parties promise premium prices for gold or precious metals. But the Captain warns that many times you may not know whom you're dealing with, and they can take your money or precious metals and leave town within hours. He added that when a victim is defrauded during a transaction, it could very be difficult for police to catch the perpetrators.

In order to host an event like a gold party, the individual or company must be properly licensed to operate as a business in Virginia, and private citizens must have local permits and a business license. The best advice, according to police, would be to deal with reputable businesses or individuals who have the proper permits and licenses.

Deadline Crosses For Political Filings

The filing deadline for Rockingham County, NC, political offices ended at noon Friday, February 26, and a person who was expected to file for county commissioner has made a surprise move to run for the North Carolina State House.

Bert Jones, a retired dentist and former Rockingham County commissioner, has decided that he will run against current State Representative Nelson Cole. Jones has announced his candidacy as an unaffiliated candidate and is currently gathering petition signatures to put him on the ballot which is required for unaffiliated candidates. He said that in just 2 weeks, his campaign is already at the halfway mark of the almost 1,700 signatures required. Jones served as a county commissioner in Rockingham County from 2004 to 2008 before opting not to seek another term. He is running against longtime State Representative Nelson Cole, a Democrat who seeks his ninth term in Raleigh.

In other filings just before the filing window closed, one more candidate put her name on the ballot for Rockingham County Commissioner. Anita Hutcherson, a former restaurant-owner from Eden who ran for county commissioner in the last election, filed to run as a Democrat.

Hutcherson joins three other Democrats to head to the May primary: Guerrant Tredway who filed on Thursday, and Amelia Dallas and Bobby Stanley. Five Republicans are on the ticket for county commissioner, with a former candidate in the last election deciding to run again. Robert Wilson of Stoneville filed Friday morning to run for commissioner. He now joins four other Republicans: John Pierce V, Keith Mabe, Craig Travis, and Richard Moore. In the May primary, two Democrats and two Republicans will be narrowed down from the list, and then the four will seek the two available seats for county commissioner.

In the Sheriff's race, no new candidates filed, meaning Republican incumbent Sam Page will fight to keep his job against Democratic challenger Bryan Wallace.

No one chose to run against District Attorney Phil Berger, Jr., a Republican – or Mark Pegram, the current Clerk of Superior Court, and a Democrat.

One person filed to run against Republican State Representative Bryan Holloway – and that's Democrat Ed Gambill. Both Holloway and Gambill are from King, NC.

Star News will hold some forums for those running for public office, and as of publishing, we're looking at a forum for the county commissioner candidates sometime in April.

Reward Offered In Andy Griffith Statue Vandalism

Well, it may be time for Barney Fife to take the bullet out of his pocket – there's crime in Mayberry.

Actually, the crime happened in the town of Mount Airy, NC, the homeplace of Andy Griffith. That's where vandals defaced the bronze statue which honors the long running series, The Andy Griffith Show. The vandalism happened the weekend of February 19, but the story made regional news and is prompting so much attention that the Surry County Arts Council is offering a reward to catch the culprits that spray-painted the statue.

Tanya Jones, Executive Director of the Surry County Arts Council, believes the statue was vandalized Saturday night, February 20, with someone painting Sheriff Andy Taylor's hair green and his face and badge red. Jones says after the story ran, people have contacted the Arts Council to donate money for the reward.

The Arts Council is also modifying their surveillance camera system to observe a larger part of the area and to try to keep it from happening again. They are still waiting to hear from TV Land – the owner of the statue – who is planning to send someone to check the damage and remove the paint. TV Land donated the statue to the town of Mount Airy back in 2006.

Charges Against Cat Woman Dropped

It looks like the Reidsville, NC, woman who was charged with Trespassing and Littering at the Reidsville Walmart Supercenter while trying to feed stray cats has walked away from her troubles. GoDanRiver.com reports that Carolyn Denise Johnson, who many remember as the cat woman of Walmart, had her criminal charges dismissed.

It was in September of 2009 that Johnson was charged while she was feeding stray cats that congregate at the store. An employee of the Reidsville Walmart saw Johnson feeding the cats and told her to leave, and when she refused, police responded and charged her with Trespassing and Littering. The Cresenzo Law Firm of Eden took Johnson's case and offered its services pro bono – or free – and while her case was scheduled to go to trial in January 2010, Johnson said the charges were dropped.

Johnson has devoted her life to feeding, housing, and helping cats, and she has about 120 of her own at her home near Reidsville and feeds around five feral colonies of cats in the area. Her home has become a sanctuary for cats, and she admitted in the article that she spends virtually every dime on her cats. Johnson says she buys about 30 25-pound bags of cat litter and 30 18-pound bags of cat food every week, and that she and her husband struggle financially to care for the animals.

She didn't say whether she plans to start feeding cats at Reidsville's Walmart again.

New Candidate Files For Commissioner

Filing to run for public office in Rockingham County, NC, ends at noon on Friday, February 26, and another name has popped up on the list to run for county commissioner: Guerrant Tredway, who lives on Price Road in Stoneville, has filed to run for Rockingham County commissioner. Tredway, who filed Thursday, February 25, is a Democrat. He now joins two other Democrats and four Republicans who will be narrowed down in the May primary.

The other two Democrats on the ticket are Amelia Dallas and Bobby Stanley who are both currently serving as county commissioners. Four Republicans are running, too: Craig Travis, Keith Mabe, John Pierce V (the fifth), and Richard Moore.

The way it will work is voters will go to the polls in Rockingham County in May and will vote based on their party affiliation. Two Republicans and two Democrats will be chosen during the May primary, and then all four will run for two seats in the November election. So far, only two are running in the Sheriff's race – Republican incumbent Sam Page and Democratic challenger Bryan Wallace.

We'll recap all the candidates on our Friday television newscast.

Update: Missing Ridgeway Man Alive And Well

A man from Henry County, VA, who left for work and never showed at his job in South Carolina has been reported to be alive and well. Ronald Lee Riggs, age 41, of Chestnut Knob Road in the Ridgeway area has returned to his home in southside Virginia.

As Star News reported to you the week before, the Henry County Sheriff's Office was investigating a missing person case involving Riggs who failed to show up for a construction job in Gaffney, SC. Lt. Ricky Walker of the HCSO says that Riggs returned home over the weekend. Riggs told deputies that he arrived in Gaffney for his job on Sunday, February 14, and checked into a different hotel than one he used in the past, when a short time later he became dizzy and lost consciousness, and said it happened more than once. Once he felt healthy enough – after several days – Riggs got into his vehicle and headed for home in Henry County.

The Sheriff's Office thanks everyone for their help in trying to find Ronald Riggs.

Silver Alert Called And Cancelled In One Day's Time

Lauren Dale Anderson, age 30, was the subject of a search by the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office after her family said she disappeared from their house. It was on Saturday morning, February 20, that Anderson's father told deputies that his daughter drove away from home in the family's 1996 Ford Taurus – and that her behavior was out of character – and they were concerned for her safety. But then, the RCSO cancelled the Silver Alert on Sunday, February 21, after Anderson was found in Durham, NC, and was okay.

A Silver Alert is similar to a Amber Alert, but Silver Alerts are issued for missing adults whereas Amber Alerts are issued for missing children.

Missing Ridgeway Man Enroute To South Carolina

The Henry County Sheriff's Office is investigating a missing person case involving Ronald Lee Riggs, a 41-year-old white male of 3786 Chestnut Knob Road in Ridgeway, VA.

Riggs left an acquaintance's residence on Orchard Drive in Bassett, VA, at approximately 2pm on Sunday, February 14. He was enroute to Gaffney, SC, for his construction job there. His supervisor from his job in Gaffney called the family to see why Riggs never showed up for work on Monday. The family then notified the Henry County Sheriff's Office. A BOLO (Be On the LookOut) was issued for all law enforcement agencies at that time. Local searches did not produce any results and then a formal missing person's report was filed.

Riggs was last seen driving a white 1991 4-door Mercury Topaz sedan with Virginia license plate KBZ-1404. He was last seen wearing a ball cap, denim button-up work shirt, blue jeans, and brown work boots. Riggs does still wear glasses as seen in photo and has some medical conditions, one of which has previously caused him to lose consciousness. He is also under treatment for high blood pressure but had his medication with him. Riggs does not have a cell phone. Checks with all family members and friends by the HCSO have not turned up any leads as to his whereabouts.

Anyone with any information about Ronald Lee Riggs or his whereabouts is asked to please contact the HCSO at (276) 638-8751 or call Sergeant Curtis Spence of the Criminal Investigations Division at (276) 656-4200.