Crime

Paying for security concerns in Columbus County

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 7:54pm

Paying for security concerns in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Commissioners in Columbus County approved two projects to pay for more security in county buildings.

County leaders agrred to buy two new machines that will scan bags and purses as people enter the court house. The machines will move to the new court house when construction is complete.

According to the sheriff's office, some people including a judge believe there should be security at every entrance in the courthouse. Right now only people who go upstairs are required to walk through a metal detector.

School security

Commissioners voted to split $250,000 between Columbus County Schools, Whiteville city schools, and Southeastern Community College to increase security.

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INVESTIGATION: Man crashes car speeding away from burning vehicle

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 3:21pm

Police say these are the two vehicles that were involved.

LAKE WACCAMAW, NC (WECT) – Officers in Lake Waccamaw spotted a man speeding away early Monday morning from a burning vehicle at the state park boat ramp on Bella Coola Road.

According to officials, David Miller told them his daughter parked one of the cars at the state park boat ramp and lost a key. Miller says the car was on fire when he arrived to the boat ramp.

Investigators said Miller didn't call 911 and drove away instead. Miller crashed into a light
pole down the street, knocking out power for many people in the area.

Miller was taken to the hospital to be treated for a broken neck.

According police, it is legal to burn your own property. It only become illegal when you file a claim.

This incident is under investigation.

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Police arrest second attacker involved in fatal stabbing

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013, 4:37pm

Demetric Ladale Gray (Source: Columbus Co. Jail)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officers with the Whiteville Police Department have arrested a second person they believe was involved in the death of Eddie Best last month.

Police arrested Demetric Ladale Gray for being a second attacker. Authorities say he confessed to the crime Wednesday.

Beverly Williams was arrested and charged a day after the incident.

According to investigators, Williams' mother called authorities to report her daughter had stabbed Best. When officials arrived to Williams' home, she was calm and told them she had been in a fight but was fine.

According to police, officers walked into the home and found Best's body in a bedroom. Police say Williams admitted to stabbing Best several times in the chest after an altercation.

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Men accused of stealing motorcycles

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013, 6:49pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Authorities with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office have arrested and charged two men who they say stole some motorcycles.

Ryan Anthony Rabon and David Travis Nance have been charged with possession of stolen motorcycles.

Investigators say the men stole the bikes from Horry County, SC during Bike Week in Myrtle Beach.

David Travis Nance (Source: Columbus County Sheriff's Office)

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Man accused of leading authorities on chase, jumping into river

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013, 4:28pm

Man accused of leading authorities on chase, jumping into river

COLUMBUS and BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies in Columbus County arrested a man over the weekend who’s accused of leading authorities on a car chase and jumping into a river, officials with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office report.

James Spivey, 38, was arrested for fleeing to elude arrest and failure to stop for blue light and siren.

Deputies say the chase Spivey led them on went into Brunswick County and allegedly jumped into the Waccamaw River.

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Woman wanted in NMB arrested in Bladen Co.

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013, 2:43pm

Woman wanted in NMB arrested in Bladen Co.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officers with the Elizabethtown Police Department arrested an employee at Poplar Heights Nursing Center who was wanted by authorities in North Myrtle Beach.

According to the chief of police, there was a fugitive warrant of arrest for Ebony Ieisha McCray, 29 of Whiteville, for an armed robbery in North Myrtle Beach.

McCray was taken into custody and is being held in Bladen County Jail awaiting extradition to North Myrtle Beach.

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Officials investigate whether prostitution was part of robbery

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Monday, June 3rd, 2013, 3:04pm

A group of construction workers from Florida were robbed by two men Sunday at the Holiday Motel off Highway 701 Business outside of Whiteville, according to deputies.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A group of construction workers from Florida were robbed by two men Sunday at the Holiday Motel off Highway 701 Business outside of Whiteville, according to deputies.

Investigators with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office say the construction workers reported being approached by a prostitute at a gas station earlier in the day. They said the prostitute ended up with them at the hotel.

Deputies are investigating to see if the men who robbed the construction workers were part of a set up by the prostitute, or if it was a random robbery.

According to Mayor Lewis Hatcher, there is not a large prostitution problem in Columbus County, but there are some out there.

Hatcher said it's easy to keep an eye on the motels because there are only a few in the county, and it's easier for people to get away with prostitution in rural areas.

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