Rather than break it up into small stories, we’ll post a regional crime blotter that includes a search for a missing person, a possible drowning, two teens charged with homicide and a fatal sportbike accident.
First, Elizabeth City Hall posted to social media Thursday morning that the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is currently conducting a search behind Ollie’s in connection with a missing person from Perquimans County. The Elizabeth City Police Department (ECPD) is not involved in this investigation.
“We understand there is significant public interest, especially with media presence on the scene, including Channel 10 News,” City Hall posted. “It is important for our community to know that this operation is solely under the direction of the SBI. ECPD has no jurisdiction or involvement in this matter, and the SBI is not obligated to share details of their ongoing investigation. We appreciate Investigator Interim Police Chief Eddie Graham for arriving on scene to offer assistance, should the SBI request it.”
As the Albemarle Observer receives more details about what’s happening, we’ll update our readers.
Speaking of Perquimans County, the Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the NC Medical Examiner’s Office, is investigating a possible drowning in the Yeopim River.
Perquimans-Gates 911 Center received several emergency calls reporting that a 40-year-old local man who had been Yeopim River and was later pulled into a boat around 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Bystanders were performing CPR at the scene.
Tragically, the man was pronounced dead – his name has not been released to the media.
Back to Elizabeth City — ECPD has arrested two teenagers who have been charged with first-degree murder following a 10-month investigation, according to a press release from the department.
Caleb Jeremiah Bowe, 21, of the 800 block of Shannon Street in Elizabeth City, died in the shooting just before noon Aug. 26, 2024, in the 100 block of Oak Grove Avenue. He was found dead in a vehicle.
Two teens, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old, are both in custody at Perquimans County Detention Center.
Maybe not local, but tragic — the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to a collision around 6:38 p.m. Tuesday on NC Hwy 55 near Galloway Rd in Craven County, NC.
A deputy with the Craven County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) observed a silver Sportbike traveling at an extreme rate of speed above the posted speed limit and in a reckless manner on US 17 as it crossed the Neuse River Bridge, according to the NC Highway Patrol. The CCSO Deputy activated their emergency equipment (blue lights and siren) and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Sportbike.
The Sportbike Failed to Heed for the siren and blue lights of the CCSO Deputy and began to flee from the CCSO Deputy. The Sportbike exited US 17 and traveled onto NC 55 east where it continued traveling at an extreme rate of speed above the posted speed limit and in a reckless manner and collided with an SUV attempting to turn left into a nearby parking lot.
After colliding into the SUV, the Sportbike caught fire and the operator of the Sportbike 23-year-old Justin Carey Jr. of New Bern, NC was ejected from the Sportbike after colliding into the SUV and died at the scene. The driver and passenger of the SUV sustained minor injuries. No charges are expected to be filed.
Edenton Police Department
Edenton Police responded to a report at 11:52 p.m. June 9, by Edwin Newby II, of Oakdale Drive, Edenton. Someone had poured an unknown substance into the gas tank of a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder, causing approximately $5,000 in damage.
Arkay Sutton, of Cabarrus Street, Edenton, was arrested June 9 on a felony charge of true bill of indictment related to Statute 14-415.1, which says, “It shall be unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in his custody, care, or control any firearm.” A secured bond of $100,000 was set.
At 7:20 p.m. June 4, Edenton Police responded to a hit and run at 7:20 p.m. June 4 at Earnhardt Field, 1366 N. Broad St. According to the report, Mechelle Anthony, 57, of Pruden Street, reported that a 2010 Honda Accord was hit around 6 p.m., but the suspect didn’t report it.
At 9:40 a.m. June 1, Edenton Police responded to the report of a breaking and entering of a 2003 Chevrolet C-1500 on Gale Street. The incident caused approximately $5,000 in damage.
Edenton Police responded at 12:33 p.m. May 31 to a report of injury to personal property on Granville Street. According to the report, James Lowder, 82, of Granville Street, reported that the window to his 2000 Dodge Dakota was broken by an unknown individual. The incident caused an estimated $300 in damage.
At 12:33 p.m. May 30, Edenton Police responded to a report of second-degree arson at Waterford Apartments, Chowan Court, Edenton, when a box of paper was lit on a resident’s stove.
At 5:10 p.m. May 26, Edenton Police arrested Daniel Alfonza Hurdle Jr., 34, of Walker Drive, Edenton, and charged him with possession of a stolen firearm and resisting an officer.
At 3:23 p.m. May 26, Edenton Police arrested Roger Oliver, 42, of Tip Toe Road, Edenton, on two felony charges of felony conspiracy and a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy. A secured bond of $25,000 was set.
Oliver, along with Anthony Rowlen, 35, of Dogwood Drive, Edenton, were arrested on Court Street. Rowlen was arrested at 3:30 p.m. the same day and charged with two felony counts of felony conspiracy. Rowlen’s secure bond was set at $25,000.
At 1:42 p.m. May 26, Shaquean Nixon, 30, of Cabarrus Street, Edenton, was taken into custody at the Chowan Regional Jail, Court Street, and charged with two felony counts of felony conspiracy, a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy and a misdemeanor charge of injury to real property. A secured bond of $30,000 was set.
At 2:44 p.m. May 26, Arkey Sutton, 39, of Oakum Street, Edenton, was taken into custody on Court Street and charged with two felony counts of conspiracy and one misdemeanor charge of conspiracy. A secured bond of $25,000 was set.
At 6:15 p.m. May 24, Edenton Police responded to a report of a person concealing a handgun without a permit at McDonalds, 310 Virginia Road, Edenton.
At 7:27 p.m. May 24, Edenton Police arrested and charged Corey Harrell Jr., 26, of Peterson Street, Edenton, with urinating in public, a misdemeanor charge, on Water Street. According to the incident report, at 7:10 p.m. that day, Harrell urinated at Queen Anne Park (Elizabeth Van Moore Park), at 210 E. Water Street, Edenton. The site does not have any restrooms. A secured bond of $1,500 was set.
