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Crime Reports

Outsmart the Scammers: Cybersecurity and Fraud Awareness Panel Discussion Sept. 18

September 11, 2024 Incidents of fraud are on the rise, and scammers’ tactics are becoming more complex. No one is immune! That’s why it’s important to educate yourself about fraud.   Learn important strategies to help protect yourself and the ones you love. We’ll share: How to spot red flags that may indicate a fraudulent encounter. Where to turn in the event you or a loved one is targeted. Steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones. Panel will include Boone Police Department, Watauga Sheriff’s Department, and External Financial Fraud Investigator Tommy Crosby

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Avery County Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest Involving Internet Crimes Against Children

September 10, 2024 On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Avery County Sheriff’s Office along with Sugar Mountain Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant on the residence of Maxcim Kori, located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Kori was identified by authorities in Florida pursuant to an Internet Crimes Against Children CyberTipline Report showing his potential involvement with child sexual abuse material. Based on the investigation in Florida, warrants were issued against Kori for Possession, Control, or Intentionally Viewing Sexual Performances by a Child. During the investigation in Florida, officers learned that Kori had moved to North Carolina and was living in Banner Elk.

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Local Historian. Terry L. Harmon Releases Long-Awaited Chronicle of The Durham Family Murders

August 27, 2024 After years of speculation, research, interviews and more, local historian, Terry L. Harmon, is pleased to announce that his long-awaited book about the Durham family murders is now available. Released on August 17, 2024, CONVOLUTED: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide is currently available only on Amazon and is quickly gaining momentum among High Country residents who have been captivated for years by the horrific crime occurring in Boone’s backyard. Harmon’s indepth research comes alive on 581 pages of the paperback book, with many pictures and personal accounts and memories of those closest to the situation helping to tell the story. By Sherrie Norris

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Avery Jury Upholds Conviction of William Barthel for Disrupting Avery Board of Commissioners Meeting and Resisting a Public Officer

August 5, 2024 On Thursday, August 1, a jury found William J. Barthel guilty in Avery County Superior Court for one count each of Disruption of an Official Meeting and Resisting a Public Officer concerning his conduct during a regular monthly meeting of the county’s Board of Commissioners on January 16. As the county commissioners began the meeting’s public comment segment, Barthel was in the back of their board boom in the County Administration Building in Newland with a vinyl banner that included an image of Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Cindy Huffman Turbyfill and vulgar language.. By Tim Gardner

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Avery County Man Receives Federal Prison Sentence for Making a Destructive Device

June 17, 2024 An Avery County man has been sentenced to 97 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for making a destructive device and on related criminal offenses. The 97 months equates to 12 years and one month.Thomas Dewey Taylor, Jr., 45, whose last known home address is 316 Snowshoe Loop, Newland, previously pleaded guilty to attempting to damage and destroy a building used in interstate commerce by fire and explosives, possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act weapon, and making a destructive device. By Tim Gardner

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Suspect in Custody for Armed Robbery in Boone on Thursday


May 11, 2024 On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM, Boone Officers were alerted to a reported armed robbery in the parking area of 545 Hwy 105 Extension. The suspect had fled the area on foot. Officers responded and quickly identified the suspect. A short time later a Boone Police Officer located the suspect behind a hotel on US 421 South. A short foot chase ensued before the suspect was taken into custody with the help of a Watauga Sheriff’s Office deputy.  The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Mario Rafael Gonzalez of Zionville, North Carolina.  Gonzalez was charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon (Felony), Resisting an Officer (Misdemeanor), Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor

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Vehicle Pursuit by Avery Sheriff’s Officer

March 19, 2024 On March 17, 2024, Corporal Caleb Hicks, with the Avery County Sheriff’s Office, received a report of a reckless driver on Highway 194.  Corporal Hicks observed the vehicle, an orange Chevrolet Camaro, traveling toward Newland at a high rate of speed.  Corporal Hicks attempted to initiate a vehicle stop on NC 194, at which time the vehicle failed to stop and attempted to elude law enforcement.  The pursuit traveled into Newland before ending at the Green Leaf Corporation on NC Highway 221.  As a result of the pursuit Corporal Hicks arrested William Odies Furr III, from Lincolnton, North Carolina.  Furr was charged with Felony Speeding to Elude Arrest and (2) two counts of Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a Deadly Weapon, as Furr attempted to strike Deputies with his vehicle.  Furr is being held under a $130,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Avery County Court on April 3, 2024.

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Police Chase Ends in Crash

October 17, 2023 On October 17th, 2023, shortly before 10:00 am, the Boone Police attempted to stop a vehicle on NC Highway 105, that was reported as stolen.  The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and fled resulting in a chase that ended in a vehicle crash outside the Boone city limits on Blowing Rock Rd. near Niley Cook Rd. Both occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot following the crash and were quickly apprehended. 

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“CRIME ALERT”

October 4, 2023 High Country Crime Stoppers and the Boone Police Department seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime:During the month of September, 2023, multiple street signs were stolen from within the Town of Boone.  The signs were taken from Briarwood Drive, Dogwood Road, Stadium Drive, Horse Shoe Drive, Tanglewood Drive, Highland Avenue, Wintergreen Drive, Yosef Drive, Poplar Hill Drive, Hope Drive, and the Town of Boone equipment yard.

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Largest Fentanyl Seizure in Avery County History

May 19, 2023 The Avery County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce a significant arrest in our efforts to discourage illicit drug sales in Avery County. On April 14, 2023, Avery County Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Division investigators served a search warrant on a residence in the Ingalls community and located what is being described as the largest Fentanyl seizure in Avery County history. The Fentanyl located was both in powder form and pressed pill form. Investigators also located a large amount of Methamphetamine and handguns in the residence.

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Court Case Against Avery County Man on Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction Charges Continued Until July 17

March 15, 2023 The State of North Carolina‘s court case against Thomas Dewey Taylor, Jr. on charges of three counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction has been continued until July 17, 2023. The 44-year old Taylor, Jr., whose last known home address is 316 Snowshoe Loop, Newland, had a court hearing on March 13, 2023 in Avery County Superior Court. By Tim Gardner

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App State Student Arrested For Communicating Threat Of Mass Violence Online 

March 9, 2023 A student at Appalachian State has been arrested after communicating a threat of mass violence on the social media app YikYak. Around 6:30 p.m on Wednesday, March 8, App State student Pierce H. Chase, 18, was arrested on suspicion of Communicating a Threat of Mass Violence on Education Property. The threat communicated classifies as a Class H felony. By Zack Hill

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Boone Police Continue To Look For Tips On “Person Of Interest” In Swastika Flag Incident At The Temple Of The High Country

February 21, 2023 Boone Police are asking the public for help in finding a “person of interest” they believe may be tied to an incident at The Temple of the High Country last week. Last Wednesday around 7:30 p.m., Boone Police responded to reports of a person waving a flag with a swastika on it in front of The Temple of the High Country at 1043 West King Street. When they arrived, they didn’t find a person but did find the flag draped across the Temple’s sign. By Zack Hill

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High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Solving Incident


December 21, 2022. High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police seek the public’s assistance in solving the following incident: On November 22, 2022, between 3 am and 4 am, a white 16’ Homesteader brand enclosed box trailer was stolen from the parking lot of Charleston Forge, located at 251 Industrial Park Drive.  The trailer displayed signage for FRS Team, a restoration services company.

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