Two Robberies in Caldwell County

Police believe that two separate robberies in Caldwell County Saturday Morning may be related.
The first robbery occurred at the Dari Freeze Restaurant on Main Street in Hudson at 5:00 a.m. An employee's purse and cash box was stolen by two males with handguns. No one was injured.
The second robbery occurred at the Fast Stop on South Main Street in Granite Falls at 6:30 p.m. Two males with handguns robbed the building, and kicked and pistol whipped a 59 year old customer. The clerk was not hurt.
In each case, both males were described similarly, wearing dark hoodies and camouflaged pants. The get away vehicle was described as a white four door sedan.
Anyone with information should contact the Caldwell County Crime Stoppers.

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Meth House Busted Up, Mystery Baby Found

Drug Bust in Burke County

Two people were arrested after a drug bust on Crestview Street in Burke County. The arrest came after a tip led police to the residence.
Casey McBrayer and Crystal Crews were arrested and charged with manufacturing schedule one and schedule 6 drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms and pot, and possession with intent to sell.
A school aged child was living at the residence, and the child was taken by the Department of Social Service and is living with a relative.
Both were placed in jail under $20,000 bond.

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Possible Strong to Severe Storms This Evening, Tonight

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma has the foothills of North Carolina in a slight risk for severe storms today. According to the SPC, the slight risk runs right through eastern Burke County through western Lincoln County. The other areas west of Hickory are in the threat for mainly non-severe storms; however, no guarantees can be made. Severe storms can occur outside of the threat area, and with the threat area so close, everyone needs to be sure to be ready for severe weather tonight. Catawba County and Lincoln County are in the threat zone tonight. The strongest storms look to penetrate through the area between 9:00 p.m. Thursday and 1:00 a.m. Friday. These storms have a chance to produce very strong winds, small hail, heavy rain, lightning, and a slight chance of a tornado. Be sure to have your NOAA Weather Alert radio on tonight and keep in touch with the latest information from the NWS via television, radio, and/or the internet.

For more information, visit the Storm Prediction Page: http://spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

Chase Ends With Arrest

A simple speeding ticket turned into a four mile police chase involving a motorcycle Wednesday afternoon in eastern Burke County.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office tells The News Herald a deputy clocked a motorcycle traveling 65 mph in a 45 mph zone on Rhodhiss Road. The deputy caught up to the suspect around US 70, and it appeared that the suspect was going to stop for the deputy. The man sped away on US 70 and speeds reportedly reached 100 mph. The chase ended on Locas Street at a dead end in Rutherford College.
Travis Jeffery Long, 21, was charged with felony fleeing to elude in a motor vehicle, resisting a public officer, injury to real property, failure to head lights and sirens, failure to stop at a stop sign and improper passing. Police are also planning to issue numerous citations to Long, including speeding, driving left of center, inspection violation, and failure to use turn signals.

For more information on this story, you can click on this link: The News Herald
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Guilty Plea in Roommate Killing

Burke County- Jonathan Brown, 30, plead guilty to shooting his roommate in the head during an argument and burying him in the South Mountains in 2009. The body of Lee Bryson was found on March 19, 2009 in a shallow grave, and Brown turned himself into police in May 2009. Brown plead guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 13 years ten months to 18 years in prison.

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Mysterious Illness in Catawba County

Catawba County Inspectors are continuing to check the Harbor Inn Restaurant in Conover after 40 people complained of an illness after eating at the restaurant. January 13 is the day in question, and 1,500 meals were served on that day. About 40 people complained of stomach pains and diarrhea. The illness passed in a day or so. The restaurant received a grade of 99.5 at the last inspection, and health officials say they have found nothing that would suggest that the restaurant should be shut down. Everyone who complained of illness was given a stool sample test to use and send off for testing.

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Brothers Arrested on Kidnapping, Robbery Charges

Two Hickory brothers were arrested Wednesday morning on kidnapping and robbery charges.
Justin Edward Maltba, 24, and Scottie Bryan Maltba, 19, were arrested on felony charges of kidnapping and common law robbery, and Justin Maltba was charged with marijuana possession up to half an ounce.
One of the brothers allegedly approached a 48-year-old man while he was leaving the McGuires Pub at around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday and asked for a ride. The man agreed and both brothers got into the vehicle. The brothers allegedly forced the man to drive to an unknown residence, and asked the man for his wallet. This is when the brothers allegedly assaulted the man and stole his wallet and cell phone. The brothers allegedly put the man in the extended cab of the truck and started driving around. Police stopped the truck a short time later and noticed the man signalling to them. The brothers were then arrested.
The stolen items were recovered.

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High Speed Chase in Burke County

Alexandra Osteyee-Hoffman, 28, is accused of leading police on an eight mile chase at speeds that topped eighty miles an hour Friday morning. The chase went started at Henredon Road and went down Burkemont Avenue, Hopewell Street, back on Burkemont Avenue, and then ended on Interstate 40. A trooper was able to toss stop sticks in front of the vehicle. The News Herald reports she has been charged with felony fleeing to elude, failing to heed lights and sirens, failure to yield, driving left of center, failure to maintain lane control, injury to personal property, reckless driving to endanger, speeding and three counts of resisting a public officer.
For more information on this story, you can click on this link: The News Herald
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Former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno Dies