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Page 8
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Banner-News Police Report
Former South Police capture fugitive Simmons Point teacher arrested On Thursday, October 15, 2015, the Gaston County Police Department began an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct by a female teacher with a male student at South Point High School. The allegations include a sexual relationship prior to graduation in the spring of 2015. The Belmont Police DeTeika Watkins Helton partment initiated the investigation but it was transferred to the County Police at the request of District Attorney Locke Bell. As a result of this investigation, Gaston County Police charged Teika Watkins Helton on November 16, 2015 with one count of Sexual Activity between School Personnel and a Student. Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact the Gaston County Police Department at 704-8663320.
Fatal wreck near Belmont The Belmont Police Department is investigating an accident that has resulted in a Gaston County woman being killed. On Nov. 16 at about 10:25PM Belmont Police were dispatched to a wreck that occurred on I-85 South between Exit 27 and the Catawba River Bridge. When Belmont officers arrived on the scene they found two vehicles sitting 500 feet from the I-85 South Exit 27 exit ramp. Initial indications showed that in the moments before the wreck occurred one of the vehicles involved was stopped in the right hand lane approaching the I-85 South Exit 27 off ramp. The second vehicle involved was traveling down I-85 South when it merged into the exit ramp lane. When the second vehicle merged into the exit ramp lane it struck the stopped vehicle. Both vehicles were propelled further down the road. The wreck resulted in the death of Caryl Michelle Allen 30 of Ranlo. Allen was the driver of the vehicle stopped on the road. The wreck also resulted in two people being injured. One was the passenger of the vehicle driven by Allen. The other was the driver of the second vehicle involved. The Belmont Police Department is trying to determine why the vehicle was stopped in the lane before the wreck occurred. At this time it is too early to determine if charges are warranted since the investigation is ongoing.
Belmont-based firm expanding Investing $2.2 million into its Easley, South Carolina facility, Belmont-based Wilbert Plastic Services recently announced expansion of its paint capabilities in the southern region of the U.S. The premier manufacturer of plastic products and assemblies increases its paint offerings through installation of a new, fully-automated one- and two-component paint line. Advanced technologies, noted company leadership, will provide a superior finish for completed products – products across markets such as healthcare, automotive, agriculture, consumer and recreation manufactured at Wilbert’s Easley, S.C., injection molding plant as well as its six additional facilities. Said Bob Gray, vice president of sales and marketing,
“We continuously seek to expand our capabilities and technologies across Wilbert’s seven manufacturing facilities. Easley’s new paint line will provide our customers throughout the U.S. with superior, expert finishes for their plastic products.” Wilbert Plastic Services is a premier and growing plastics manufacturer, expertly guiding worldwide customers from concept through production with plastic injection molded and heavy gauge thermoform products and assemblies. With a rich history spanning more than 50 years, the company, headquartered in Belmont, has grown to seven manufacturing facilities across five states and production and assembly for 12 different markets. For more information on Wilbert plastic services, visit http://wilbertinc. com/.
A six-day manhunt came to an end last Saturday when convicted statutory rape offender Gary Franklin Simmons, 43, of Belmont was captured in the attic of his girlfriend Robin Lackey’s house on Cherry Street in Catawba Heights. Officers from Belmont PD, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston County Police, Mount Holly PD, and Gastonia PD had been looking for Simmons since Nov. 16th. On Nov. 12th Simmons’ jury trial began in Gaston County Superior Court. He was charged with two counts of statutory rape. On Nov 16, after closing Gary Franklin Simmons arguments, the jury retired to
deliberate the case. Before a verdict was rendered Simmons left the courthouse and could not be located. Since Simmons could not be found the judge issued two bench warrants against him. Court continued Nov. 17 without Simmons. After deliberations, the jury rendered a guilty verdict against Simmons on two counts of statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl.. After his capture, Simmons and Lackey were placed in Gaston County Jail without bond. Lackey was charged with harboring a fuRobin Lackey gitive.
Officers seek missing man Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a Stanley, NC man who has been missing since November 11, 2015. Around 10:30 a.m. on November 11, 2015 deputies went to the residence of Alvin Dewayne Moore, Jr., 31, at 946 Ben McLain Lane to serve involuntary commitment papers taken out by Moore’s grandmother. When officers arrived on the scene Moore ran from the residence. Deputies left the residence and Mr. Moore is believed to have returned home. Then at 5:30 p.m. on November 11, 2015 a family member called the Communications Center to report that Moore was back at home but he ran from the scene before officers arrived. Moore was entered NCIC as missing on November 12, 2015. He is on medication for psychological problems but has not been taking his medication as he should according to his family. He was last seen on November 11, 2015 walking south on Highway 16 in Gaston County. He was wearing a navy blue tshirt, white fleece jacket with a hood, and camo style pants. He also had on a blue cap with a dollar sign symbol on the front. Moore is a black male, six feet tall and weighs Alvin Dewayne Moore, Jr. around 225 pounds. He has a bald spot on top of his head. Anyone with information about Moore’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-7329050, the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202 or Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.
This Week’s Feat red Pets
Tri-County Animal Rescue is overrun with Chihuahuas. Here is just a sampling of our available Chihuahuas that are in need of a permanent home. This group is all females. Featured here is Gidget, Little Bit, China, Glitter and Rosie. Most of these are under 2 years of age. Little Bit is 6+ years of age. The owner of the little girls passed away and Tri-County Rescue welcomed them into our adoption program to find a new home. They are skittish at first but blossom when they have adjusted. They love to be held and snuggled. They are also very agreeable to treats so treats are a must to win them over. We also have several small Chihuahua boys that need a home. All of the Chihuahuas are spayed/ neutered, current on vaccines, microchipped, dewormed and come with 30 days of free pet insurance. Chihuahuas require no trimming and minimal grooming. Chihuahuas love their dens and will often burrow themselves in pillows, clothes hampers, and blankets. They are often found under the covers or at the bottom of the bed, deep in the dark and safety of what they perceive as their den. Chihuahuas have a tendency to tremble or shiver when stressed, excited or cold. Chihuahuas, especially the short-coat variety, are less tolerant of cold than larger breeds, and may require a sweater or boots in cold weather. They will seek warmth in sunshine, under blankets, or on furniture, human laps or the back of a larger dog. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan range for a healthy Chihuahua is between 12 and 20 years. There will be many small, medium and large dogs for adoption this weekend. Please come see them this weekend at the Gastonia PetSmart located at 3698 East Franklin Boulevard on Friday 6-9 pm and Saturday noon to 6 pm. Tri-County Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization
serving Lincoln, Gaston and other surrounding counties committed to ending pet homelessness in this area and in need of your continued support. If you cannot adopt a pet, then support Tri-County in other ways. The “needs” list includes: towels, Clorox, laundry detergent, paper towels, dry dog food and dry cat food. For more information, call 704.263.2444, send an email to TriCountyAnimalRescue@yahoo.com, visit the web at www. tcar.us or on FaceBook at Tri-County Animal Rescue. Donations can be sent to Tri-County Animal Rescue, PO Box 483, Alexis, NC 28006