POLICE BLOTTER
In a continuing effort to provide the community with access to information on recent crime related activities and the actions of the Asheville Police Department to deter crime in Asheville neighborhoods, the city has launched this initiative to make the community more aware of arrests made by the APD.
The Asheville Police Blotter will feature information on critical incidents, arrests, public safety bulletins and announcements made to the local media.
APD Detectives Charge Two in Series of Purse Snatchings
ASHEVILLE – On Friday, 05-11-12, between the hours of 11:42 am through 4:35 pm; the City of Asheville experienced a series of three robberies. The incidents occurred outside Wal-Mart on Bleachery Boulevard, Wal-Mart on Hendersonville Road, and Ross on Airport Road.
All three female victims had purses forcibly stolen from them, with one victim being injured in the process. Acting on a tip, APD Detectives contacted law enforcement authorities in Laurens, South Carolina; about two suspects they had recently captured after they robbed a woman at knifepoint at an I-385 rest area.
APD Detectives made the trip to Laurens, SC and interviewed 27 year old Claude Lee Turnage of Taylors, SC and 32 year old Melissa Colon of Marietta, SC. The results of that interview, and the subsequent recovery of some of our victims property, led investigators to charge these individuals with 3 counts of Common Law Robbery (Turnage) and 3 counts of Aid & Abet Common Law Robbery (Colon). Additional charges are pending from other jurisdictions as well.
APD Makes Arrest in Serious Assault at Westgate
ASHEVILLE – On Sunday, May 13, 2012, at approx. 2:00 pm; Officers with the Asheville Police Department responded to the parking lot of Earthfare located at 66 Westgate Parkway in West Asheville for an assault. Upon arrival, Officers met with the victim, an Earthfare employee, who had been attacked in the parking lot by an unknown black male and robbed of his tennis shoes. The victim had been struck numerous times in the head and in the altercation two vehicles were damaged. The investigation found this attack to be motivated by jealousy and this afternoon Asheville Police Detectives and Buncombe County Deputies located the suspect, identified through investigation as 22 year old Arthur James Black Jr., at 55 Harris Ridge Road in Candler.
Mr. Black was subsequently charged with:
Felony Assault Inflicting Serious Injury
Felony Common Law Robbery
Misdemeanor Larceny
Two Counts or Damage to Property
Communicating Threats
Black is currently being held on a $40,000 secure bond. Mr. Black is also facing an Assault on Female charge related to a domestic incident.
Offender Media Announcement
For Immediate Release
TUESDAY, May 15, 2012
ASHEVILLE - On May 13, 2012, Clarence Jamar Shivers was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm. Clarence Jamar Shivers was a participant in the March 22, 2012 Call-In organized by Changing Together. Changing Together is a coalition of community members, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s office and area social service providers.
Changing Together invites the most violent offenders in our community to attend a Call-In and receive an important message. The community explains that their violent actions will no longer be tolerated. Should they choose to continue on a violent path, law enforcement agencies, through a coordinated information-sharing network, will make every effort to ensure that notified offenders receive the most severe sentencing under the law. However, if an offender chooses to change their behavior, Changing Together and the community will immediately support those who ask for help and assist in providing access to a variety of resources.
APD Arrests Suspect in West Asheville Break-in
ASHEVILLE – After an extensive investigation by Asheville Police Detectives; Officers have arrested Tasha Leigh Ashe, of Big Cove Rd. in Candler for the crimes associated with the Breaking and Entering that occurred on April 28, 2012 on Pennsylvania Ave., in West Asheville.
The West Asheville neighborhood of Allen St. and Pennsylvania Avenues had seen a recent spike in residential break-ins in the past month which initiated a massive effort on the part of Investigators and West District patrol officers to identify and locate the suspects in this matter.
At the time of her arrest, Ms. Ashe was found in possession of items from the victim’s home. She has since been charged with:
Felony Breaking and Entering
Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering
Felony Possession of Burglary Tools
Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods
Her bond on these charges is currently set at $5,000.00 dollars secure. Investigations on other break-ins in the area are still ongoing.
Asheville applies for Justice Assistance Grant
ASHEVILLE - The City of Asheville is applying for funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 2012 Local Solicitation program. This US Department of Justice funding is provided to enhance partnerships between federal, state and local governments to create safer communities through preventing or reducing crime and violence.
The grant awards funds to local governments for equipment, training, technical assistance, information systems and supplies to enhance local law enforcement. The Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are jointly applying for $56,927.
The Asheville Police Department plans to use the grant funds, if awarded, to enhance our in-car video system by purchasing cameras and related equipment. This would aid evidence collection in traffic related incidents, enhance officer and public safety, and advance the Asheville City Council’s Goal of Safe and Fiscal Responsibility. This equipment and funding would aid making Asheville one of the safest cities and reduce the strain on the city’s fiscal budget.
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office plans to use its portion of the grant to purchase a “throwbot” type robotic mobile surveillance system to enhance officer safety. The deployment method of this type of robotic surveillance system enables deployment in areas and situations where a traditional robotic device will not work. Additional funding will be used to purchase digital imagery equipment and TASER electronic control devices.
Citizens can submit input on the grant by contacting Captain Wade Wood in the Asheville Police Department’s Administrative Division at (828) 259-5885 or at wwood@ashevillenc.gov.
More information is also available at:
https://www.bja.gov/Funding/12JAGLocalSol.pdf
**********************************UPDATE**************************************
Based on tips received from the community, APD Detectives were able to identify the below suspect as Anthony Deon Best, of West Asheville. Mr. Best was arrested on Thursday, April 12, and charged with Attempted Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. He is currently in the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $5,000.00 dollar secure bond.
APD Seeks Assistance in Identifying Attempted Robbery Suspect
ASHEVILLE – On 03-24-12 at approx. 11:58 am, Officers with the Asheville Police Department responded to a Robbery call at the Montford Convenience Store located at 231 Montford Ave., in North Asheville.
According to witnesses, the suspect entered the store and approached the counter to purchase an item. After patting his pockets as if looking for something, the suspect came around the counter, threatened the clerk with a brick, and demanded money from the cash register. When the suspect’s robbery attempt was interrupted by another customer walking into the store, the clerk grabbed a baseball bat and chased the suspect from the premises.
The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5`6"-5`9" and approx. 170 lbs. He was wearing a black tank top, glasses, and had a shaved head with beard.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 255-5050 or Text a Tip to APDTIP at 274637 (CRIMES).
APD Investigating Vehicle Collision on Montford Ave.
ASHEVILLE – On 03-27-12 at approx. 3:03 pm, Undercover Officers with the Asheville Police Department as well as Special Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Asheville Post of Duty; were conducting a drug buy in the area of Pierson Dr. near W. Chestnut Ave. The suspect in this matter, 22 year old Jerick Tyree Campbell, when confronted by the take down officers, rammed a police vehicle and also struck a retaining wall in an attempt to get away.
Due to the reckless nature of the suspects driving, APD Officers did not give chase. As Officers were proceeding northbound on Montford Ave. to saturate the area, they observed that the suspect’s vehicle had collided with two pedestrian MSD workers near Zillicoa St., as the suspect had jumped from the moving car.
The suspect, who was injured in the attempted escape, was taken into custody and transported to Mission Hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries. Both MSD workers were also transported to Mission Hospital for their injuries. It is unknown at this time the severity of these injuries.
The NC State Highway Patrol has been requested to work this collision. Montford Ave. between Zillicoa St. and Panola St. will be closed indefinitely for the reconstruction of this collision.
Charges are pending in this matter against the suspect for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, as well as felony drug charges associated with the original drug transaction.
APD Traffic Safety Unit release new video
Click the image above to watch.
APD Investigating Attempted Bank Robbery at Bank of America
ASHEVILLE – On Monday, 03-05-12 at approx. 10:02 am, Officers from the Asheville Police Department responded to an Armed Robbery call at the Bank of America located at 124 Hendersonville Rd. in Biltmore Village.
A preliminary investigation reveals that a W/M or possibly H/M, “heavyset”, wearing a dark colored jacket, dark sunglasses, and a dark colored toboggan cap; with a mustache and facial hair, came into the bank and passed the teller a note which stated that he had a weapon and demanding money.
The teller then stepped away to get some help at which time the suspect ran from the business without obtaining the money.
The Asheville Police Department is asking anyone with any information as to this individual’s identity to contact crimestoppers at 255-5050.
**************************************UPDATE***********************************************
On Saturday, 03-03-12, at approx. 3:00 am; after a week of exhaustive interviews with numerous suspects and potential witnesses; as well as a thorough examination of all the evidence identified to date, and in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, the Asheville Police Department was able to develop and establish probable cause for the arrest of the listed individuals for the Murder of Tommy Lee Harrison Jr.:
Anthony Deqwan Wilson, 21 years of age, of Pisgah View Crt in West Asheville charged with 1st Degree Murder.
James Antonio Wilson, 22 years of age, of Sandhill Crt. in West Asheville charged with 1st Degree Murder
Bresean Deve Fate, 20 years of age, of Courtland Ave. in North Asheville charged with 1st Degree Murder.
Ericka Lashea Smith, 23 years of age, of Ledgewood Apts. in East Asheville charged with Accessory after the Fact to 1st Degree Murder.
Each of the above individuals was arrested overnight with Ms. Smith finally being located at appox. 5:00 am. All have been served with their individual warrants and each of the male suspects was given “No Bond”. Ms. Smith was given a $100,000.00 dollar secure bond.
The investigation will continue to be ongoing as Detectives conduct follow up on leads and evidence. Anyone with information in reference to this crime is asked to call crimestoppers at 255-5050.
APD Investigating Overnight Shooting Incident at Erskine Apartments
ASHEVILLE – On Monday, 02/27/2012, at approx. 10:38 pm, the Asheville Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at Erskine Street Apartments. Upon arrival, Officers located a black male deceased in front of Apartment 8-B. The victim has been identified as Tommy Lee Harrison Jr. age 19 of Asheville.
The Buncombe County District Attorneys Office and the Medical Examiner have been notified. An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday morning at Bowman Gray Medical Center.
Investigators and Forensics Services are currently conducting interviews and examining evidence related to this investigation.
More information will follow as the investigation proceeds.
Ceremonial Swearing-in of City of Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson
APD Investigating Bank Robbery
ASHEVILLE – On Thursday, 02-23-12, at approx. 3:20 pm, the Asheville Police Department responded to the Sun Trust Bank located at 771 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805; in reference to a report of an Armed Robbery.
Upon arrival, officers met with Bank personnel who advised that a male of mixed complexion, approx. 30 years of age, wearing a grey jacket, red and white ball cap, and brown female wig, entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money and implying that he had a weapon.
After robbing the bank of an indeterminate amount of money, the suspect ran from the bank and was last seen running towards the area of Play it Again Sports. He may possibly be driving an older model Chevy S10.
Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity is asked to call crimestoppers at 255-5050 or text APDTIP and your information to 274637 (CRIMES).
Asheville Police Department uses new technology to inform residents and reduce crime
ASHEVILLE – The Asheville Police Department recently took steps with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to increase the amount of crime data available online. Other new services include an iPhone app and the ability to anonymously submit tips online and through texting.
“Providing reliable, timely information to our residents is one of our top priorities, because an informed public is a safer public,” says Interim Police Chief Wade Wood. “These tools will give us the ability to keep the public informed on a regular basis as to what is going on in the community.”
The new interactive mapping tool is available at www.crimereports.com. The website features a map that includes near real time crime data. Users can simply enter an address and see recent crime activity and the locations of registered sex offenders. More in-depth information, such as summaries of crime counts by crime type, will continue to be available through the city’s CrimeMapper application.
To text a tip, users should text “APDTIP [add message here]” to 274637 (CRIMES). This secure and anonymous tool also allows for anonymous two-way dialog between tipsters and law enforcement. Another option is to anonymously and securely submit tips online at http://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Police/CrimeReports.aspx.
More information about the CrimeMapper application, CrimeReports website and the new anonymous tip tools is available on the police department’s web pages at www.ashevillenc.gov.