WMNC News Friday, February 3rd

A missing man is being sought by the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and emergency crews. 57-year-old Ralph Edward "Red" Poarch of 102 Powerhouse Lane in Rhodhiss  has reportedly been missing for over two days. Police say Poarch was last seen Tuesday at the home he shares with his sister and his nephew.  Poarch was reported missing Wednesday by his nephew, Wesley Poarch. Authorities say they do not know what Poarch was wearing or if he may have left with someone. Family members say it is not uncommon for Poarch to leave the home without telling anyone, but he usually returns within 24 hours. He normally travels on a bicycle, but his bicycle is currently at the home. Lake Rhodhiss is being searched, and there are crews searching for Poarch on the ground as well. Anyone with information regarding Red Poarch should call 828-758-2324 or 828-758-8300.

Sheriff Alan C. Jones announced that on February 1, 2012, Agents with the Sheriff's Office Ice Unit arrested and charged two individuals in connection with manufacturing methamphetamine at a residence located at 4400 Collettsville Road. 36-year-old Glenn Spencer Boyette Jr, and 31-year-old Timothy Howard White Jr, have both been arrested and charged with multiple methamphetamine-related charges. Both suspects are charged with felony counts of manufacturing methamphetamine, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and maintaining a dwelling to keep or store a controlled substance. Boyette is also charged with felonious possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, and White is charged with felonious possession of methamphetamine. Following up on reliable information of suspicion that the two were cooking meth, Agents visited the residence and confronted the occupants. The Agents gained consent to search the premise and began finding paraphernalia consistent with the manufacturing of meth. The occupants were immediately taken into custody and a search warrant for the premise was subsequently issued by a Superior Court Judge. Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Clandestine Lab Team responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.  A search turned up seven different bottles used in the shake and bake method to manufacture meth.  Five were hidden in Tupperware and cooler containers hidden in the woods behind the residence, one inside the residence and another in a tent across the road.  In addition, powder meth was found in the home along with a firearm and other drug related items.  Based on the size and magnitude of this lab, Agents suspect they were capable of producing in excess of ½ an ounce of methamphetamine.  Both suspects were interviewed and additional arrests could be pending. They were placed in the Caldwell County Jail under no bond and made first appearances yesterday in District Court in Lenoir. STAT Inc. responded to the scene for the clean-up.

Morganton native Sam J. "Jimmy" Ervin IV announced Thursday that he's planning to run for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Ervin is currently a North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge. He'll be vying for the seat currently held by Justice Paul Newby, who is planning to seek re-election. Ervin was elected to the Court of Appeals in 2008. Prior to that he served nine years on the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Two men who robbed two different Caldwell County businesses last Saturday morning are still being sought by authorities. According to authorities, the two men robbed the Dari Frez in Hudson. Reports state the men  knocked on the door of the restaurant at around 5 a.m., showed employees their guns, and demanded money. The men left with the money and headed south on U.S. 321-A. At approximately 6:30 a.m. they robbed the Fast Stop convenience store. In the second robbery, one of the customers in the store was assaulted by one of the gunmen. The injuries sustained by the customer were not believed to be life-threatening. The men stole cash and lottery tickets before leaving the scene. The suspects are described as white males between 25 and 35 years of age. The men weigh between 180 and 200 pounds and their heights are between five-six and five-ten. Both men wore dark hooded sweatshirts. One of the men wore camouflage pants with black shoes and the other wore green pants with flip flops. If you have any information on the robberies you're asked to contact Granite Falls Police at 828-396-3358, Hudson Police at 828-728-0521, or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300. 

Break-in and weapon charges have been filed against a man arrested in Catawba County. 26-year-old Brandon Tyler Ingle of Long View was arrested by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and charged with breaking and or entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of a stolen firearm. Following the arrest, Ingle was placed in the Catawba County Jail under no bond pending a court appearance.

A missing teenage girl from eastern North Carolina was found in Caldwell County. 17-year-old Charlotte Elena Vitale was reported missing after she was last seen at her home in Ocean Isle on Sunday. WECT-TV in Wilmington reports Vitale was believed to have headed to Hudson in the company of Tyler Bassin, also known as "Storm." She was safely located in Hudson and the Brunswick County Sheriffs Office reports Vitale is "fine and well."

A Catawba County resident is charged in connection with an assault that resulted in an injury. The Newton Police Department reports the arrest of 24-year-old Bynum Lee Little of Newton. He's charged with one count of assault inflicting serious injury. Following the arrest, Little was placed in the Catawba County Jail under no bond, a court appearance is scheduled for March 7.

A Catawba County resident is charged with assaulting a handicapped person. 41-year-old Dana Barbour McCall of Hickory was arrested by the Newton Police Department. The charges filed are assault on a handicapped person, injury to personal property, interfering with emergency communication, and public assistance fraud. Following the arrest, McCall was placed in the Catawba County Jail under 10,000 dollars bond. A court appearance is scheduled for March 14.