ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A safecracker, a peeping investigation and domestic violence and drug cases have kept area law enforcement officers busy.

Handyman accused of stealing more than $175,000 from widow’s safe

An arrest has been made in a case involving stolen jewelry. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on Dec. 22, 2024, after a woman told detectives her husband passed away while she was away at her daughter’s wedding. When she returned home, she realized someone had taken five Rolex watches, three bracelets and one necklace from her safe. The watches belonged to her late husband and were going to be passed down to their children.

Dinu Kozhokar, a handyman used by the family, was charged with:

  • Felony safecracking
  • Felony larceny
  • Felony obtain property by false pretense

Two watches, a necklace, and a bracelet were recovered from a pawn shop. Three more watches and two more bracelets were recovered when Kozhokar was taken into custody. He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

HENDERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Scam alert

The Hendersonville Police Department has received reports of scam text messages claiming the recipient owes parking fees. The text includes a link to pay.

The police department will NEVER text anyone about owed parking fees.

Stay alert! Protect yourself from scams:

  • Hurricane Helene Recovery Scams – Verify charities and organizations before donating.
  • Toll and Fee Scams – Use official websites to check balances, not unsolicited links.
  • Gift Card Scams – Legitimate organizations will never ask for payment via gift cards.
  • Personal Information Requests – Never share personal or financial details with unknown contacts.
  • Don’t click on links from unknown senders.
  • If an email appears legitimate, make sure the sender’s email address matches the company.
  • Contact organizations directly to verify messages.
  • Report suspicious messages to local authorities.

If you encounter a scam, call the Hendersonville Police Department at 828-697-3025.

MITCHELL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Arrest report for Jan. 12-19

Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

  • Felicia Ann Yelton, 34 of Bakersville, failing to appear in court on misdemeanor charges. She was issued a $3,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court.
  • William Ryan Boone, 42 of Bakersville, misdemeanor assault and battery. He was issued a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court.

Jail record

  • The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office is currently housing 12 inmates in McDowell County jail and prearranged detention facilities.

Calls for service

  • The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office had 161 calls for service.

Transports

The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office logged 8 transports to court.

N.C. 43RD PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch

Started the same day, finished the same day, two juries returned within the same hour identical “guilty” verdicts – prosecutors on Jan. 16 wrapped up two major drug-trafficking convictions on either end of the seven-county 43rd Prosecutorial District.

One of the two convictions took place in Haywood County and the other in Cherokee County.

In Haywood, jury members found Brenton Daniel Plott, 39, of Clayton, Georgia guilty of four counts trafficking opium/heroin.

Superior Court Judge Peter Knight consolidated the charges for sentencing.

For two of the criminal counts, he ordered Plott to serve a minimum active time of 450 months up to a maximum of 564 months in state prison.

Meanwhile, in Cherokee County, a jury in Murphy found Jessica Shaye Walker, 36, guilty of trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Superior Court Judge Nathaniel J. Poovey consolidated the charges for sentencing.

He ordered Walker to serve a minimum of 70 months in prison up to a maximum of 93 months in prison.

HAYWOOD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Man accused of peeping at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center

Randall Scott Moss, of Sylva, was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor secret peeping at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center in Clyde. Authorities believe there may be other victims.

If you or someone you know may have been a victim, please contact Detective Cagle at 828-356-2891 to report any additional information.

Persons charged with crimes are presumed to be innocent unless and until they are found guilty in a court of law.

JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Breaking and entering charges

Deputies investigated two reports of breaking and entering in the Tuckasegee area and charged the same man in both cases.

Orlando Mendoza Muniz faces the following charges:

  • Two counts of felony breaking entering
  • Two counts of larceny after the break
  • Two counts of damage to property

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

IRS scam alert

The Transylvania Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to beware of emails or text messages stating the IRS is going to give the recipient an economic relief payment.

Unfortunately, that is just not the case. This is a phishing message to get you to share your personal information such as name, Social Security number, banking information, etc.

If you have questions about the legitimacy of such messages contact your tax professional, the IRS or the sheriff’s office.

No danger after explosion

Deputies investigated reports of an explosion recently on the east end of Transylvania County. The sheriff’s office patrol division has been in contact with those involved. Apparently, someone was in the process of eliminating a beaver dam, and the matter has been resolved, the sheriff’s office said. THERE IS NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC!

MCDOWELL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Meth found on Nebo man

Kelly Bruce Smith, 65, of Nebo, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine after a traffic stop at Exit 90 in Nebo.

A subsequent search of the vehicle and Smith turned up suspected amounts of methamphetamine.

He received a written promise to appear in court.

Multiple charges filed after domestic violence incident

Matthew Kyle Berberick, 29, of Marion, was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon and ordered held without bond because of being out on pretrial release.

Berberick was arrested after deputies responded to a domestic violence call in Marion. While speaking with the occupants of the residence, deputies determined that Berberick had assaulted a female companion based on visible injuries to her face and hands.

A subsequent search of Berberick and his vehicle uncovered a handgun, a suspected amount of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Berberick was also charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additional charges related to the narcotics are pending based on results from the N.C. State Crime Lab.

Man charged with shooting at vehicle

Elijah Gary Clontz, 27, of Marion, was charged with felony discharging a firearm or barreled weapon into an occupied vehicle. He received a secured bond of $7,500.

Clontz was arrested after authorities responded to a local motel about a shooting. Victims told the detective they were inside a parked vehicle on Pinnacle Church Road when someone pulled up in another car and began shooting at them. After firing multiple shots, the suspect drove off.

An inspection of the vehicle turned up bullet holes and shell casings.

Clontz was identified as the suspect and arrested on Jan. 8. A search of his person turned up a handgun.

Nebo man accused of stealing from church bus

Hunter Jackson Welch, 25, of Nebo, was charged with felony breaking and entering into a motor vehicle and given a secured bond of $10,000.

A deputy responded to a church in Marion in early November in reference to the theft of items from a church bus.

Upon reviewing video footage, authorities went in search of Welch. He was arrested on Jan. 8, 2025.·

Convicted felon faces multiple charges

Michael Dwayne English, 52, of Marion, was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon, felony possession of methamphetamine and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine after a traffic near Ashworth and Grants Mountain roads earlier this month.

Three occupants, including English, exited the vehicle while a K-9 sniff and search were conducted.

English, who is already a convicted felon, was found to have a firearm, a suspected amount of meth and drug paraphernalia. He was taken into custody and transported to the McDowell County Detention Facility.

Elnglish received a secured bond of $15,000.

Convicted felon found with shotgun

Travis Keith Ledford, 45, of Marion, was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon after a deputy serving a Domestic Violence Order found him to be in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun. He was given a secured bond of $20,000.

YANCEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Sheriff’s office receives donated vehicles to aid operations

The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the recent donation of four vehicles to its fleet, helping to address critical needs following the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Helene.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office donated three out-of-service two-wheel drive Chevrolet Tahoes, while the town of Connally Springs provided a Ford Explorer.

While these vehicles are older and have been retired from active service, they are a welcome addition to the sheriff’s office, which has faced significant challenges in maintaining its fleet because of the damage sustained during Hurricane Helene.

“These vehicles, though not new, are far better than what we’ve been working with,” Sheriff Shane Hilliard said in a social media post. “The storm took a tremendous toll on our equipment, but thanks to the generosity of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and Connally Springs, we’ll be better equipped to continue serving the people of Yancey County. We’re deeply grateful for their support.”

The donated vehicles will be put into service immediately, providing vital support for daily operations and recovery efforts as the sheriff’s office works to rebuild and strengthen its resources.