Group home fire under scrutiny

By Jessie Burchette

news@kannapoliscitizen.com

Investigators with the Kannapolis Fire and Police departments are continuing to look into the cause of a fire last Friday evening at a group home for juveniles.

When a smoke alarm sounded, three juveniles and two adults inside escaped injury as flames filled the first floor of the two-story brick house at 414 N. Cannon Blvd. — across from the Big Lots parking lot.

Firefighters arrived at 6:24 p.m. Friday to find heavy, black smoke and flames coming from both floors of the structure.

“There was a good deal of fire coming from the structure,” Battalion Chief David Winecoff said in a press release. “When I arrived on the scene, I could see flames from the floor to the ceiling on the main level and up to the second level.”

Winecoff said firefighters did an excellent job with their initial attack and had the fire under control by 7:19 p.m.

According to a Fire Department estimate, the building sustained significant fire and smoke damage. The residents went to another group home.

Information on who operates the group home or owns the building was not available Saturday.

Kannapolis police and fire investigators immediately began investigating the cause of the fire.

Twenty-four firefighters and 11 pieces of equipment responded from the city department. Concord, Landis and Odell departments also responded to the scene. China Grove and Cold Water departments assisted with coverage while Kannapolis personnel were committed.

‘Masked,’ gloved man arrested outside KFC

By Frank DeLoache

news@kannapoliscitizen.com

Employees at KFC grew suspicious of two people standing in their parking lot the night of Sept. 2.

They looked like they were wearing masks.

A call to 911 brought two Kannapolis police officers to the restaurant at 267 N. Cannon Blvd. about 10:20 Tuesday night.

They found a 26-year-old man wearing a jacket with his hood up, latex gloves and a black bandanna pulled up to cover everything below his eyes.

“Just like you’d see in the old westerns,” Lt. Tony Clark said Thursday.

Officers Joseph Yurco and Eric Shaver ordered the man to get on the ground, and when the man refused their requests, they grabbed him and forced him to the pavement.

After handcuffing the man, Shaver and his police dog, Asta, tried to find any scent indicating where a second person might have gone. Asta didn’t find a scent, according to the officers’ later report.

After talking to KFC employees, the officers took the man back to the Police Department.

Lt. Clark said the man had no good explanation for covering his head, face and hands in early September other than “he thought he looked cool.”

That didn’t convince the officers, who thought he was about to rob the restaurant, Clark said.

They charged Matthew Dean Maultsby, 26, of 522 Gibson St., with wearing a mask in a public place to conceal his identity and resisting an officer. Both are misdemeanor charges, and Clark said he’s seen the mask charge used “only a couple of times in my career.”

Maultsby remained in the Cabarrus County Jail Thursday under $1,000 bond.

According to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Web site, Maultsby has become well known to area law enforcement officers since 2004. He’s faced numerous charges including three charges of common law robbery — once in Gastonia and twice in Concord, including January of this year.

KFC employees were not available for comment Thursday. The night manager on duty at the time of the incident “was pretty shook up” and hasn’t returned to work, a source said.

Kannapolis man, 22, charged with raping girl, 12

Police have added two charges of first-degree rape against a  Kannapolis man accused of sexual misconduct with a 12-year-old girl.

On Thursday, police also charged David Avila Garcia, 22, of 704 Baron Ridge Road, with one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor.

He was arrested Wednesday morning after police investigators first learned of the allegations Tuesday night.

Garcia is in the Rowan County Detention Center with bond set at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear in Rowan County District Court Monday.  

The warrants indicate the rapes occurred between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15.

Detective Cheryl H. Hearne was the lead investigator on the case.

Keys, vehicle stolen from Raffaldt Used Cars

Vehicle keys and a vehicle were stolen after a burglar broke into a Kannapolis used car lot, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred Aug. 31 at Raffaldt Used Cars, 7444 Spring Acres Drive.

In other Sheriff’s Office reports:

• Theodore William Love of China Grove reported someone stole checks and then forged and uttered them in Cabarrus County between Aug. 1 and 28.

• Christopher Lee Childers, 33, was charged Aug. 28 with felony possession with intent to manufacture a Schedule VI controlled substance after 43 dosage units of Phenobarbatol was found in his possession at 68000 I-85 South, China Grove.

• Matthew Rudd Farrington, 1015 Stirewalt Road, China Grove, reported vandals damaged his vehicle at his home Aug. 29.

• William Paul Wolford reported items stolen from his vehicle while it was parked at 1038 Kenwood Lane, Kannapolis, the night of Aug. 29.

• Janice Lavonne Hartis, 9800 Old Concord Road, China Grove, reported a burglar broke into her home Aug. 31.

• A 26-year-old male reported he was assaulted and robbed Aug. 31 at 4195 W. N.C. 152, China Grove.

• Jeffrey Todd Okula reported a burglar broke into 1510 Bostian Road, China Grove, between Aug. 17 and Sept. 1.

• David Michael Teal, 26, was charged Sept. 1 with felony common law robbery at 116 Thunder Road, China Grove.

• Brandon Chad Wilhoit, 24, was charged Sept. 1 with felony common law robbery at 480 Alan Circle.

• Carmen Lynn Chappal-Green, 54, and William E. Green, 57, were charged Sept. 1 with second-degree trespassing at 5717 Turner Drive, Kannapolis.

• Leroy Denard McNeair, 37, was charged Sept. 2 with felony possession of a firearm by a felon at 570 Old Beatty Ford Road, China Grove.

• Charles Edward Rhodes, 38, was charged Sept. 2 with possession of a firearm by a felon at 630 Wyatt Grove Church Road, Gold Hill.

• Ian Benton Morris, 19, was charged Sept. 3 with misdemeanor possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance on Enochville Avenue at Tuckaseegee Road in Kannapolis.

Police release sketch of ‘person of interest’ in Sundrop murder case

CONCORD — The Concord Police Department has released a sketch of a person that investigators say they want to talk with in relation to the June shooting deaths of two people Sun-Drop’s plant. 

Killed were Donna Barnhardt, 59, an 18-year employee of the Sun-Drop bottling plant, and Darrell NolesSS, 44, who was applying for a job there.

Police described the “person of interest” in the sketch as a black man, 24 to 29 years old, with dark hair and a medium complexion. He stands 5 foot 7 to 5 foot 9 and has a slender build, authorities said. 

A $75,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

Police ask anyone who knows or has seen the man in the sketch to call 704-920-5000. 

Man dies of apparent overdose day after his arrest

By Frank DeLoache

news@kannapoliscitizen.com

A 27-year-old Kannapolis man died of an apparent drug overdose died Sept. 3, only a day after police have arrested him on several charges, including illegal possession of Oxycontin, a powerful painiller.

Family and friends held a funeral service Sunday for Steven Michael Ballard, 27, of 1206 Robinhood Lane. In addition to his parents and other relatives, Ballard is survived by fiancee Erin Poplaski and their daughter, Alexa Grace Ballard, who live in Kannapolis. See full obituary, page 7.

According to Kannapolis Police reported, Ballard was arrested Sept. 2 on charges of illegal possession of Oxycontin, driving with no tag light and a revoked license and making harassing phone calls. He posted $1,000 bond and was released from the Cabarrus County Jail the same day.

The next day, a co-worker  and roommate of Ballard’s called emergency responders to his home, but they could not revive him. Police said he died of a “suspected overdose.”

Ballard worked as an electrician for Adams Electric of Reidsville in residential and commercial construction.

A son of Curtis Michael Ballard and Deborah Ross Upright, Ballard was raised in Westside Church of the Nazarene and attended Rowan County schools, graduating from South Rowan High School in 1999. 

The funeral service was held at Whitley’s Funeral Home, and he was buried at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove.

The family hopes to establish a trust fund for his daughter, Alexa. Contact his mother, Deborah Upright, 2302 Centergrove Road, Kannapolis, for more information.

Other arrests and incidents reported by the Kannapolis Police Department include:

 

Arrests

• Corey Antwan Mahatha, 26, 2208 S. Main St., Kannapolis, and 384 Dublin Ave., Charlotte; failure to appear on charges of misdemeanor possession of marijuana, driving with revoked license; $1,000 bond; Aug. 30.

• Billy Ray Richardson, 37, 905 Skyland St.; worthless checks, burglary by forcible entry; Aug. 27 and 28.

• Donald Lewis Grier, 23, 6 Violet Terrace, Concord; driving with revoked license, following too closely, possession of marijuana (allegedly inside his vehicle); $5,000 bond; Aug. 28.

• Jose Noguez, 26, 1202 Kite Court; traffic violation, driving while impaired; Aug. 31.

• Willie Glaspy, 43, 202 Lumber St.; disorderly conduct; Aug 31.

• William Carey, 25, 313 Bethpage Road; driving with revoked license, mirror violation, possession of schedule III controlled substance other than in original container, speeding (58 mph in 45-mph zone); $1,000 bond; Aug. 28.

• Kareem Quadir Miles, 26, 621 Leonard Ave.; aggravated assault; Aug. 29. On Sept. 4, Cabarrus Sheriff’s Deputy D. Burchette added charges of resisting an officer, disorderly conduct, with  $2,000 bond.

• Heidi Allman Cochran, 38, 3233 Lakeland Road; traffic violations, driving while impaired; Aug. 29.

• Charles William Bell, 42, 2901 Glendale Ave.; vandalism; Aug. 31. 

• Angela Denise Sawyer, 37, 138 Waco Ave.; trespassing; Aug. 31.

• Jorge Dela Rosa Montecino, 34, 700 Leonard Ave.; assault on a female; written promise to appear in court;  Sept. 1.

• Romeo Victoriano Pena, 30, 205 Flowe Ave.; driving left of center, driving while impaired (.08 blood-alcohol test), no operator’s license, failure to appear on larceny charge; Sept. 1.

• David Franklin Toon, 54, 3052 Claremont Ave.; failure to appear on driving with revoked license and two other charges; $1,500 bond; Sept. 1.

• Edward Arnell Williams, 44, 1004 Goble Ave.; driving while impaired (.12 blood-alcohol test), driving with revoked license, rear light violation; $1,000 bond; Sept. 2.

• Donnie Ray Raffaldt, 29, 1218 Burke St.; threatening phone calls; Sept. 1.

• Juankeenia A. Shinn, 29, 1014 Brookdale St.; drug violations; Sept. 2.

• Derrick Thomason, 41, 317 E. 25th St.; assault on a female (allegedly for striking Elizabeth Thomason, 36, on the neck and shoulder); Sept. 2.

• Jeremy Antrone Gill, 25, 307 Church St.; failure to pay child support (two counts); no bond; Sept. 1.

• William Sciarrino, 38, 220 Mary St.; traffic violations; Sept. 2.

• Paul Booher, 37, 12515 Oakton Hunt Drive; driving while impaired; Sept. 2.

• Nathaniel Lee Oliver, 24, 307 Salem St.; driving while impaired (.09 blood-alcohol test) and with revoked license, headlight violation; $1,000 bond; Sept. 3.

• Tamie Sherrill Bowman, 48, 590 Central Drive, Concord; driving while impaired and with revoked license, careless driving, presenting out-of-state license; $1,000 bond; Sept. 3.

• Charles Willis, 16, 2110 Cool Springs Court; injury to real property; Sept. 3.

• Tristan Jermalle Strong, 25, 1408 Martha St.; simple physical assault; Sept. 3.

• Gregory Bringle, 45, 403 S. 11th St.; simple assault (allegedly for hitting Jeff Bigham, 47, in the face with his hand); Sept. 3.

• Courtney Laresha Stirewalt, 19, 1603 Chapman Ave.; possessing stolen property (allegedly for taking items from a vehicle belonging to Charles Misenheimer, 52); Sept. 4.

• Christopher George, 36, 1488 Ontario Drive; simple assault; Sept. 3.

• Jason Kristopher Wentz, 31, 1203 E. First St.; assault on a female (allegedly for hitting his wife, Amy Wentz); no bond (domestic); Sept. 3.

• Amber Michelle Barkley, 22, 1515 Buffalo Ave.; driving while impaired (.11 blood-alcohol test); Sept. 3.

• William Raymond Bridges, 50, streets of Kannapolis; probation violation; Sept. 4.

• Steve Michael Falls, 48, 408 N. Cannon Blvd.; driving with revoked license; $2,000 bond; Sept. 5.

 

Incidents

• On Aug. 29, Target reported a 25-year-old left the store without paying for DVDs.

• On Aug. 29, Pamela Gibson, 46, reported a 25-year-old woman broke one of Gibson’s windows with a rock.

• On Aug. 29, Charles Hines, 46, reported a bicycle stolen from his front porch.

• On Aug. 29, Barbara Barr, 74, and Bobby Barr, 76, reported their tires cut with a knife.

• On Aug. 29, officers interviewed a 79-year-old man about preventing an 8-year-old from injury.

• On Aug. 29, officers responded to a report of 78-year-old Adell Deal walking away from an unspecified “retirement home.”

• On Aug. 29, Candice Kendall, 36, and Jason Kendall, 35, reported someone broke a lock and stole their radio.

• On Aug. 29, Susie Johnson, 63, reported her wallet stolen from her vehicle.

• On Aug. 29, a city employee complained of a 24-year-old man playing his radio too loudly at an unspecified location.

• On Aug. 30, officers questioned a 34-year-old man about having an open container of liquor in his vehicle.

• On Aug. 30, Lisa McGlamery, 38, Lynn Milstead, 37, and Tracy McGlamery, 36, reported four acquaintances hit them with a shovel.

• On Aug. 31, Paula Mullis, 40, reported a 28-year-old woman took Mullis’ vehicle without permission.

• On Aug. 31, Cynthia Williams, 44, reported a 42-year-old man kicked in her back door.

• On Aug. 30, Rite Aid Pharmacy reported two people trying to obtain prescription medicine fraudulently.

• On Aug. 31, BP No. 12 station reported someone tried to pay with counterfeit money.

• On Aug. 30, Robert Goforth, 50, reported a 37-year-old acquaintance stole medication while he was sleeping.

• On Aug. 31, Silviano Benitez reported someone stole his vehicle, which was unlocked with the keys inside.

• On Aug. 31, Deloris Mata, 56, reported someone climbed through her window and stole her change.

• On Aug. 31, officers interviewed two adults, ages 39 and 29, about a 4-year-old child running unsupervised on North Cannon Boulevard.

• On Aug. 31, officers questioned a 43-year-old man about “misuse” of 911 communications.

• On Aug. 30, officers questioned a 36-year-old man at an unspecified location about playing music loudly in his vehicle.

• On Aug. 30, officers talked to a 26-year-old man at an unspecified location about playing rock music too loudly.

• On Sept. 1, Rit Lite Signs reported two people entering a fenced area and cutting and stealing copper wire.

• On Sept. 1, Teresa de la Rosa, 32, reported a 34-year-old man kicked her in the lower leg.

• On Sept. 1 and 2, officers investigated separate reports that 16-year-olds were missing.

• On Sept. 2, officers questioned a 25-year-old man at an unspecified location about possessing liquid steroids.

• On Sept. 2, Patrick McDaniel, 48, reported a break-in, through a window, and theft of items.

• On Sept. 2, Robert Watford, 24, reported his vehicle taken without his permission.

• On Sept. 2, D.R. Horton Homes reported someone forced open a sliding door and stole appliances at an unspecified address.

• On Sept. 2, Target Store no. 2169 reported a 37-year-old man concealing merchandise under his clothing and leaving the store.

• On Sept. 2, police received a report of a 22-year-old having sex without force with a 12-year-old girl.

• On Sept. 3, Joseph Davis, 35, reported the theft of tools from his vehicle at an unspecified location.

• On Sept. 3, Dollar General reported someone paid for merchandise with a bad check.

• On Sept. 3, JBR Credit Car Co., 1845 N. Cannon Blvd., reported someone took a car without permission.

• On Sept. 4, Marcele Upright reported someone took change from her purse.

• On Sept. 4, Mary Arnette, 53, reported tools stolen from a building at an unspecified location.

• On Sept. 4, police reported two vehicles belonging to Michael Belk and M. Guaraj & Sons stolen in Landis and found in Kannapolis.

• On Sept. 4, Timothy Roseman, 51, reported items stolen from inside his truck and the toolbox in the bed of the truck.

• On Sept. 4, Azucenn Cruz, 35, reported someone threw a rock through a window and stole items.

The next day, Cruz reported a vehicle taken without permission.

• On Sept. 4, officers questioned a 30-year-old man at his residence about playing music loudly.

• On Sept. 4, Wendy’s employees reported a bank bag taken from its office.

• On Sept. 5, officers questioned a 24-year-old woman at an unspecified location about having marijuana in her vehicle.

•  On Sept. 5, Jamar White, 20, reported someone struck him in the face.

 

Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office

Arrests

• Lisa Sherrill Hudson, 26, 6540 Goldfish Road, Kannapolis; failing to appear on Rowan County misdemeanor probation violation charge; $100,000 bond; Sept. 3; Deputy D.A. Burchett.

• Ashley Nicole Bostian, 24, 108 Hemlock Ave., Kannapolis; probation violation; $500 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy Bond.

• Michael Thomas Blum, 23, 505 Carter Drive, Kannapolis; failure to pay child support; $3,445 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy Sastoque.

• Micah E. Gray, 21, 6108 Charlie Walker Road, Kannapolis; failure to appear on driving with revoked license charge; $500 bond; Sept. 5; Deputy Bearden.

• Cherokee R. Pickering, 20, 5216 Bahama Drive, Kannapolis; assault and battery, larceny; written promise to appear in court; Sept. 7; Deputy Blakely.

• Willie B. Polk, 37, 1837 Lane St., Kannapolis; failure to appear on nonpayment of child support order; $14,328.27 bond; Sept. 7; deputies Blakely, Shue.

• Kevin Leonard Hudley, 36, 230 N. Oakhurst Drive, Salisbury; driving with revoked license, failure to pay child support; $500 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy Sullivan.

• Donald Ray Tucker, 52, 5781 Cedar Ridge Lane, Concord; assault on a female, felony probation violation; $5,500 bond; Sept. 3; Deputy Thomas.

• James Lee Ford, 34, 303 Leonard Ave., Albemarle; failure to pay child support; $11,247.68 bond; Sept. 3; Deputy Sastoque.

• Patrick Henry Dashno, 42, 37 Tower Circle, Concord; driving with revoked license; $500 bond; Deputy Bond.

• Adria Marie Cruse, 43, 3306 Erskine Drive, Charlotte; failure to pay child support; $203 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy Moon.

• Christopher Eric Richmond, 29, 117 American Ave., Concord; failure to pay child support (Onslow County); $900 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy Hale.

• Ariel Leon-Rennie Smith, 19, 214 S. Hampton Drive, Concord; misdemeanor probation violation (possession of drug paraphernalia) and failure to appear on charges of driving with revoked license, possession of a revoked license, headlight violation, unsafe movement and hit and run involving property damage; $4,500 bond; Sept. 5; Deputy Wallace.

• Jennifer Clare Pantell, 33, 9745 Waltham Court, Concord; driving with revoked license, no inspection, expired registration; $500 bond; Sept. 4; Deputy D. Fisher.

• Reese A. Turner, 19, 8515 N.C. 200, Midland; assault and battery; written promise to appear in court; Sept. 5; Lt. James.

• Jeffery Lee Arrington, 18, 3044 Feather St., Concord; felony larceny and conspiracy; $1,000 bond; Sept. 5; Deputy Adcock.

• Johnny Wayne Burnette Jr., 33, 8245 W. Frankline St., Mount Pleasant; assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, injury to personal property; $2,000 bond; Sept. 5.

In that case, Brandon Wayne Russell, 22, 1696 Blanch St., Albemarle, told Deputy Elliott two men assaulted him at 9:21 p.m. while he was parked at 8081 W. Franklin St., Mount Pleasant.

• Ambrose W. Hartman, 45, 1899 Mulberry Road, Harrisburg; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; written promise to appear in court; Sept. 6; Sgt. Wallace.

• Barry Allen Boyd, 37, 4121 DC Drive, Concord; possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia; $2,000 bond; Sept. 6; Deputy Zeman.

• Angela Nelson Graham, 47, 8142 park View Lane, Sherrills Ford; possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia; $2,000 bond; Sept. 6; Deputy Zeman.

• Daniel Neil Sanderson, 31, 4913 Buckboard Circle, Concord; assault on a female, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; $1,000 bond; Sept. 7; Deputy Rodriguez.

• Cynthia Honeycutt Dulin, 44, 5770 Flowe Store Road, Concord; simple assault, possesion of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; no bond; Sept. 7; Deputy Lisk.

• Donnie Ray Burris, 54, 5770 Flowe Store Road, Concord; assault on a female, possesion of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; no bond; Sept. 7; Deputy Lisk.

• Juan Carlos Estrada, 37, 4152 Old Glory Road, Concord; domestic criminal trespass, resisting an officer; no bond; Sept. 7; Deputy Zeman.

• Chavis Grayton Burton, 57, 2145 Kingsway Drive, Huntersville; resisting an officer, firing a weapon within 500 yards of residence; Sept. 7; written promise to appear in court; Sept. 7; Deputy Logan.

 

Incidents

• On Sept. 3, Steven Michael Martin, 22, 1002-B California St., Kannapolis, reported someone stole a $324.80 check sent to him and cashed it. Deputy McClure.

• On Sept. 5, Shelly L. Rocha, 43, 713 Washington Lane, Kannapolis, reported someone removed her $500 1988 Chrysler from the side of the road near 3500 Old Concord-Salisbury Road between Aug. 17 and 28. Deputy James.

• On Sept. 7, Iris Sumone Hunter, 27, 5649 Marion Ave., Kannapolis, reported vandals caused $3,000 damage to her 1997 Honda Prelude. Deputy Adcock.

• On Sept. 3, Catherine Weast Leigha, 5120 Rimer Road, Concord, reported her credit card was lost or stolen and someone withdrew cash from her account. Lt. A.T. Swinson.

• On Sept. 3, Randy Hill, of Westport Homes, repoted $4,600 in property stolen from a home under construction at 11639 Tucker Fields Drive, Midland. Deputy Barnhardt.

• On Sept. 3, Jon Stewart, of Eco-FX Mulch and Erosion Control, reported a $200 GPS unit stolen from a company truck at 1848 N.C. 24/27, Midland. The thieves also damaged the truck and a skid steer trying to steal them. Deputy Barnhardt.

• On Sept. 3, Kina Perkins reported her 15-year-old niece Somalia Ja’erre Scott, 5517 River Falls Drive, Charlotte, missing. The teen, who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and 115 pounds, was seen at school Sept. 3 but did not return home on her school bus.

• On Sept. 3, Daniel Allen Neid, 47, 1458 Porter’s Court, Concord, reported someone caused $200 damage breaking into his 2002 Ford F150 truck but took nothing. Deputy Edwards.

• On Sept. 3, Eduardo Castillo, 39, 16511 Blackberry Hills Drive, Midland, reported his $8,000 1989 Harley Davidson motorcycle stolen from his home. Deputy Sastoque.

• On Sept. 4, Scott Johnson, 35, 1427 Little Buffalo Creek Road, Mount Pleasant, reported the theft of a $69 hunting ladder stand from his land between Aug. 4 and Sept. 4. Deputy J. Harless.

• On Sept. 4, Ashley Davis, 31, 13361 Bethel School Road, Midland, reported a $300 Cub Cadet riding lawn mower stolen from an outbuilding. Deputy Thomas.

• On Sept. 5, Tim Hurlocker, 39, 212 Brackenberry Circle, Mount Pleasant, reported someone took $50 in items from his vehicle between 9 a.m. and noon. Deputy Bearden.

• On Sept. 5, Roy M. Casper, 86, 3211 Irish Potato Road, Concord, reported the theft of $677.45 in items from his outbuilding between Aug. 22 and Sept. 5. Deputy Rodriguez.

• On Sept. 5, Luz Eneida Cubano, 40, 939 Piney Church Road, Concord, reported here 15-year-old son missing. She last spoke with him at 4 p.m. that day. Deputy Adcock.

• On Sept. 6, Deputy D. Harvey III responded to the home of Alex Santana, 939 Piney Church Road, Concord, who had previously been reported missing. Harvey confirmed that Santana had returned.

• On Sept. 7, Lopez Sergio Guerrero, 23, 1413 Bostwood Lane, Concord, reported the theft of $600 in items from his unlocked 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Deputy Harvey.

• On Sept. 7, William Lyle Taylor, 46, 8691 Oldenburg Drive, Mount Pleasant, reported vandals threw a brick into the back window of his 1996 Toyota Tercel and slashed all four tires, causing $1,050 in damage. Deputy Kluttz.

• On Sept. 7, Armistead Eugene Divine, 63, 11070 Peach Orchard Road, Harrisburg, reported someone caused $2,860 in damage to his pasture fence between Sept. 2 and 7.

Shot in the back, man finishing his lawn

By Jessie Burchette

news@kannapoliscitizen.com

Claude LaFevers was mowing his yard Friday evening when he felt a sting in his back.

He heard a loud noise, looked around and didn’t see anyone on the street or in the area.

He kept mowing — unaware that he had been shot.

 An hour or so later when he finished  mowing, someone took a look at his back and suggested he had been shot.

LaFevers initially refused transport by EMS to the hospital, wanting to drive himself. Eventually, the Rowan EMS transported him from his home at 512 W. Eighth St. to Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast in Concord.

Lt. Milton Davis of the Kannapolis Police Department said the hospital confirmed he had been shot with a small caliber bullet.

Medical personnel opted to leave the bullet in since it was not in a critical area. He was treated and released.

Davis said police interviewed neighbors and  turned up no information to explain how LaFevers got shot or who shot him. “It’s a complete mystery,” Davis said. “We don’t know what occurred.”