ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department apprehended two felons over the weekend, both familiar faces to law enforcement.
On Oct. 19, Asheville men Stuart Franklin Evans, 60, and Dennis Gates Miller, 33, were arrested in the early morning and early evening, respectively.
Police said Evans had stolen $5000 worth of copper wire from the Duke Energy facility on Brevard R0ad around 4 a.m.
The accused copper thief fled the scene before police arrived, but was apprehended by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office on other charges later that morning. The two law enforcement agencies collaborated on the arrest, which resulted in Evans charged with:
- Larceny
- Possession of burglary tools
- Second-degree trespassing
- Obtain property under false pretense
- Parole violation
Due to the parole violation, Evans was booked into Buncombe County Detention Facility with no opportunity for bail.
The copper wire was confirmed by Duke Energy as the utility company’s and promptly returned.
Miller, meanwhile, was arrested around 8 p.m. off Riverside Drive after attempting to flee officers on a stolen motorcycle.
This is the second motorcycle theft and thwarted escape Miller has attempted this month, police said. He was caught after attempting to loot buildings in the River Arts District in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Oct. 9.
Read the report of that incident here.
Miller was arrested by APD after an attempted escape by motorcycle and then on foot. He was charged with:
- Possession of stolen motor vehicle
- Possession methamphetamine
- Possession Schedule I
- Flee to elude arrest
- Reckless driving/wanton disregard
Miller is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $40,000 bond, issued by a magistrate.