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 launced 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.
Information on recent prostitution or solicitation arrests is available at the link at the bottom of the page. * (Updated 8/12/2010)
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APD warns public about Internet check scams
ASHEVILLE - With the stagnant economy and limited job availability, people are looking for good deals, selling items to make ends meet, and looking for stay-at-home jobs.
While the majority of online classified advertising users, such as those on Craigslist, are trustworthy, a significant number of people are using this service to commit fraud.
Scammers use the preface of selling or buying cars, event tickets, personal items, or renting apartments. The Asheville Police Department regularly fields calls from people who have been victims, as well as from those who didn’t fall for dubious requests to cash checks or money orders or to send payment in advance.
Detectives want people to be aware of the following scams:
-- Someone sends you a check, cashier’s check or a money order for payment of an item they are buying from you. The payment is for more money than the agreed selling price and the purchaser contacts you and claims one of the following:
-- They accidentally sent too much money and ask you to cash the check or money order and wire them the extra funds.
-- They accidentally sent you their payroll check and ask you to cash the check and wire the extra funds to a different location where the mistake will be corrected.
--They accidentally sent too much money and ask you to wire the extra funds to a check cashing location in another state.
You are trying to buy an item. The seller:
-- Asks you to set up an online escrow account.
-- Asks you to send partial payment and the item will be sent and the remaining balance will be due upon receipt of the item.
You are offered a job with a non-local company:
-- A company representative says they will pay you to process payments from customers and to then forward the funds to the business.
How to avoid being a scam victim:
-- Always try to deal with local individuals when selling or buying items. Dealing with people face to face is generally a deterrent to being scammed.
-- Never provide personal financial information (eBay or PayPal info, checking account number, Social Security number, etc.)
-- Never cash personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, etc., unless the source is trustworthy and the funds are confirmed before you do so.
-- Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as BidPay, Squaretrade, or even PayPal.
-- Never send money through wire services unless you know for certain that the individual you are dealing with is trustworthy.
-- Always abide by the old standby: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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Police attempt to negotiate with subject in standoff
ASHEVILLE – Asheville police are attempting to negotiate with a man who is refusing to leave his vehicle in the Battery Park area following an attempted traffic stop earlier today on Haywood Street.
At about 9:30 a.m. today (Aug. 31), Asheville police took a report regarding an Aug. 30 incident involving Kenneth Eldimore Allison of Hilton Head Plantation, S.C.
On Aug. 30, Mr. Allison went to Remax realty on College Street, saying he wanted to possibly buy some property. The Remax business owner contacted police and said that Mr. Allison had been behaving strangely while working with an agent. The owner told police that that after being shown some properties, Mr. Allison remained in the business’ parking lot for more than an hour, apparently cleaning out his trunk.
The owner then did an Internet search on Mr. Allison and learned that he had been involved in a stand-off with law enforcement in the Hilton Head/Beaufort, S.C., area on Aug. 18, where after several hours of negotiations, he was taken into custody by members of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.
Several weapons were found in his home.
The Remax owner was concerned that Mr. Allison would return to the property and alerted APD of his encounter with the subject.
At about 4:30 p.m. today, an APD officer saw Mr. Allison’s vehicle on Haywood Street and attempted to stop him and check on his welfare. Mr. Allison did not stop, and continued to drive toward the Grove Arcade/Battery Park area.
Officers remain in the area, including members of the Crisis Negotiation Team, to try to speak with Mr. Allison and to get him to safely leave his vehicle.
Roads in that vicinity are closed during the attempted negotiations.
Further updates, as available, will be issued via media release or posted here.
Police investigate motorcycle wreck
ASHEVILLE - Shortly before 4 p.m. today (Aug. 28), Asheville police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Patton Avenue near the intersection of Green Hill Avenue.
A motorcycle traveling westbound on Patton Avenue crossed into oncoming traffic and struck two vehicles that were traveling eastbound on Patton Avenue.
Prior to the collision, witnesses said the motorcyclist was operating in what was described as a reckless manner. He was transported to Mission with serious injuries. His name is being withheld pending family notification.
There were no other injuries.
Updates, as available, will be posted here or issued via media release.
UPDATE 8/29:
The motorcycle driver was identified as Jorge Reyes Campuzano, birth date 2/07/1983, of Swannanoa. Mr. Campuzano was charged with Driving While Impaired, Driving While License Revoked, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Have Motorcycle Endorsement. He remains hospitalized at Mission.
APD investigates wreck on I-240
ASHEVILLE – APD Traffic Safety Unit officers are investigating a single-vehicle collision that occurred at 1 p.m. today (Aug. 27) on Interstate 240 East, near exit 4C.
A man lost control of his vehicle in that area for reasons that are unknown at this time. However, investigators say the driver was not using a cell phone and that alcohol does not appear to have been a factor.
The car struck a guardrail and the driver was thrown into the windshield. He was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained serious injuries.
He is being treated at Mission Hospital. His name will be released pending family notification.
UPDATE 8/28: The driver is identified as Mark Christopher Buckley, birth date 12/04/1988. His hometown is not confirmed at the time of this posting.
APD investigates traffic fatality
ASHEVILLE – APD Traffic Safety Unit officers are investigating a fatality that occurred this afternoon in the area of Swann
Street and Brook Street in Biltmore Village.
EMS and APD personnel responded at about 3:45 p.m. to a call regarding a Moped driver down. He was unconscious at the scene and was transported to Mission Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The wreck occurred when a Jeep driver was turning left off of Swann Street onto Brook Street.
Witnesses said the Moped driver had been driving erratically just before the collision and had been weaving in and out of traffic. The Moped struck the rear of the car as its driver was attempting to turn. The Moped driver lost control and spun out.
The victim’s name will be released pending family notification. Police will confer with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office on whether any charges will be filed in this incident.
UPDATE 8/24/2010, 8 p.m.:
Moped driver:
William Francis Mayhew III, birth date 7/18/1964, of Asheville
Jeep driver:
Amanda C. Gibson, birth date 2/1/1978, of Cornelius, N.C.
No decision has been made regarding charges.
Labor Day ‘Booze It & Lose It’ campaign under way
ASHEVILLE – Asheville police are once again taking part in the statewide Labor Day Booze It & Lose It campaign, set to run Aug. 20-Sept. 6.
Booze It & Lose It is an initiative of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program that zeros in on drunken drivers through checkpoints and stepped-up patrols in an effort to take impaired drivers off the roads.
Drivers are guilty of DWI if their alcohol concentration meets or exceeds .08, or they are under the influence of, or affected by, alcohol and/or other drugs.
North Carolina law imposes a $4,000 maximum fine for DWI offenses. It also includes the following:
“Zero Tolerance” for underage drinkers, and drivers of commercial vehicles, school buses and day care vehicles
30-day administrative driver license revocation for those who refuse to take the Intoxlilyzer breath alcohol test or who have 0.08 blood alcohol concentration or 0.01 BAC if underage
Allows vehicle seizure and forfeiture for a driver who is impaired and whose license is revoked for DWI, or who is impaired and has no license and no insurance
For statewide data on Booze It & Lose It and other Governor’s Highway Safety Program initiatives, visit:
http://www.ncdot.gov/programs/GHSP/news/default.html
Suspects sought in truck, bike thefts
ASHEVILLE – Police are asking the public’s help to locate the suspects who stole a truck from a local charity and used it to steal and haul dirt bikes from a local business.
On Aug. 9 at about 1:30 a.m., the two suspects stole a 1981 red and black Ford F-350 truck from the premises of Habitat for Humanity (30 Meadow Road) and drove it to Biltmore Iron & Metal (1 Meadow Road).
Once at Biltmore Iron, the suspects loaded up 13 new dirt bikes that were being stored there for later sale by one of the business owners.
All of the bikes were unassembled and still in boxes. The suspects are described as two young white males with medium builds.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (828) 252-1110 or CrimeStoppers at 255-5050.
Sign up now for the fall Citizens Police Academy
ASHEVILLE – The Asheville Police Department is now inviting residents to apply for the fall semester of its Citizens Police Academy.
This free program gives participants insight into the philosophy and policies that govern the APD’s service to the community. The class is designed to give residents an appreciation for the problems and challenges facing law enforcement, as well as an up-close opportunity to offer insights, ideas and solutions.
Classes begin Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the police department.
The academy lasts for 12 consecutive weeks, with three-hour classes held on Tuesdays. The final day of the class is a graduation ceremony.
The course consists of basic classroom instruction, presentations, and demonstrations on topics such as criminal investigations, constitutional and criminal law, use of force, departmental structure and defensive tactics.
Participants will also be able to ride with police officers on patrol.
Those wishing to participate must apply and be accepted. For more information on the academy, contact Officer Allen Dunlap at 259-5834 or e-mail him at adunlap@ashevillenc.gov.
Get information on the new N.C. Precious Metals Law
ASHEVILLE - Effective Oct. 1, 2009, North Carolina legislators amended North Carolina general statutes 66-164 and 66-165 relating to the purchase of precious metals.
As of Oct. 1, 2009, any person engaging in the business of purchasing precious metals must obtain a precious metals permit. Precious metals dealers licensed before Oct. 1, 2009 must comply with the ratified bill as of Jan. 1, 2010.
For details on the law, as well as to access associated documents, visit:
http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/police/police_services/default.aspx?id=3464
Cold Case Unit seeks tips
ASHEVILLE - The Asheville Police Department's Cold Case Unit is seeking information on the whereabouts of a possible witness in a homicide investigation.
Detectives would like to speak with a woman who was known by the name Joann Roland in the early 1970s, and who may have information in the 1969 homicide of Jake Burrell in downtown Asheville. Police did interview her, but there is no longer a record of what she told them.
Ms. Roland was 23 years old with dark hair, and was known to live on Haywood Road. She would now be about 63 years old, and could have a different last name.
If you have any information about where Ms. Roland may be located, please call the Criminal Investigations Division hotline at (828) 259-5439.