Latest News and Updates from Rowan County, NC | RowanCountyMugshots.com

June 2025

NCDMV Warns of Fraudulent Text Scams

The N. C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) is alerting the public about a surge in fraudulent text message scams targeting residents. These scams falsely claim to request payment for fees, fines, or tolls and may appear to come from the NCDMV.

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Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported larceny that occurred in the 300 block of Baker Mill Rd

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported larceny that occurred in the 300 block of Baker Mill Rd during the early morning hours on Sunday, May 25th, 2025. We are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the two individuals in this video. Anyone with information is requested to contact Deputy Grimes at the Rowan County Sheriff's Office at 704-216-8700, Communications at 704-216-8500, or Rowan County Crime Stoppers at www.rowancrimestoppers.org or 1-866-639-5245.

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May 2025

One Person Shot After Road Rage Incident

Deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office are on the scene of an apparent road rage incident where another motorist was shot and has been transported to a local hospital. The shooting occurred on I85 North just South of the 68 mile marker.

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Second Person Arrested for Tillman St. Homicide

On May 22, 2025, the Salisbury Police Department Criminal Investigation Division charged a second individual for the homicide that occurred on February 20, 2025 at 1416 Tillman Street. Warrants for Murder were obtained and served on Jamarion Racel Proffitt. Mr. Proffitt was already in the custody of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Detention Center due to a shooting incident that occurred on January 25, 2025.

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Salisbury Police Department Statement on Injured Officer

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Officers working the Cheerwine Festival responded to a fight in progress. Law Enforcement from the Salisbury Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriff's Office arrived within seconds and observed 5 to 10 juveniles engaged in an active fight. Law Officers were able to stop the fight, but not before one Officer with the Police Department and one Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy sustained injuries. The Salisbury Police Officer was transported to Novant Hospital and diagnosed with a severe concussion. The Rowan County Deputy was transported to Novant Hospital and later hospitalized due to a fractured hip.All of the juveniles detained were transported to the Salisbury Police Department. Secure custody orders were sought but denied, at which time the juveniles were then released to their parent(s). The investigation continues to see if upgraded charges are appropriate due to the injuries to the Law Enforcement Officers. Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to contact Detective Marks at 704-638-5333.

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Cleveland Man Sets Own House on Fire Amid Divorce Dispute, Arrested After Fleeing Into Woods

A Cleveland man is in custody after allegedly attempting to set his own home on fire. Barry Lee Reese, 46, was arrested on May 9 after a neighbor reported smoke coming from his Clearview Road residence. According to investigators, Reese, who is going through a difficult divorce, admitted he didn’t want his wife to get the house. He reportedly used kerosene to ignite the fire in the living room before fleeing into nearby woods, where police found and arrested him. Reese is charged with fraudulent burning of a dwelling and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

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Salisbury Police Investigate Fatal Shooting on South Clay Street

SALISBURY, N.C. — Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday night in the 200 block of South Clay Street. Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 9:45 p.m. and discovered 21-year-old David Rickey Anderson lying in the front yard of a residence with apparent gunshot wounds. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene .

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April 2025

Arrest Made in Rowan County Detention Center Smuggling Case

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has charged four individuals in connection with an April 1 attempt to smuggle narcotics and contraband into the county detention center. Inmate Justin Ray Webster was identified as a key figure, conspiring with Amber Purser, Joseph Montgomery, and his father James Webster to introduce suboxone, tablets, and tobacco into the facility.

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Sheriff’s Patrol Units Execute Drug Search Warrant

WOODLEAF, N.C. – On April 1, 2025, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office responded to 5920 Foster Road to assist probation officers with the service of a warrant on Shane Terry. Information obtained on the scene would indicate that Terry was located inside of an RV trailer on the property and was refusing to come out. Deputies and probation officers on the scene noticed that there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the trailer. 

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March 2025

Vehicle Pursuit and Recovery of Stolen Vehicle

From the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Pursuit and Recovery of Stolen Vehicle On March 10, 2025, at approximately 6:11 pm, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s office located a stolen vehicle in the area of Hwy 601 and East Ridge Road. The deputy observed the vehicle pulling into the Village Grocery on US Hwy 601. When the occupants of the vehicle saw the deputies patrol vehicle, they fled the area at a high rate of speed.The deputy attempted a vehicle stop on East Ridge Road, but the vehicle did not stop and fled down East Ridge Road at speeds over 100 mph. The vehicle was also reported to be a suspect vehicle in a robbery out of Salisbury. The pursuit continued to a dead end on East Ridge Road, where the suspect drove through a front yard and back onto the roadway.The pursuit then continued into Spencer and onto Hollywood Drive where Officers from Spencer Police Department attempted to deploy stop sticks. The driver of the stolen vehicle began passing vehicles in a curve and this is when the deputy had to use caution and back off for the safety of other motorists, and lost sight of the suspect vehicle.A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned beside of a church just outside the town limits of Spencer. A K-9 officer responded and deployed a K-9 into a wooded area to search for the suspects. The NC Highway Patrol helicopter also responded, but the suspects were not located, and there are no suspect descriptions at this time. It was reported that there appeared to be 3 to 4 suspects in the vehicle when the pursuit began. There was also some indication, that the suspects may have been picked up in the Seventh Street area by a black mini van that was seen in the area.Officers from the Salisbury Police Department responded and processed the stolen vehicle for its possible involvement in the robbery. Any questions related to the robbery or the stolen vehicle from Salisbury should be directed to the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333. Anyone with information as to the identity of the occupants of the vehicle is asked to contact Rowan County Crime Stoppers at www.rowancrimestoppers.org or by calling 1-866-639-JAIL(5245).

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Warrant Service Leads to Multiple Drug Arrests

From Rowan County Sheriff's Office Warrant Service Leads to Multiple Drug ArrestsSALISBURY, N.C. (Tuesday, March 4, 2024)- On Friday, February 28, 2025, at approximately 0930 hrs. Deputies with the Civil Division of Rowan County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 550 St. Matthews Church Rd Salisbury to serve an outstanding order for arrest on Joshua Jones. Deputies encountered, a gray Ford Explorer turning into the driveway. Two Deputies pulled in behind the vehicle and saw what appeared to be a drug transaction. The deputies noticed that the male standing outside the vehicle was the wanted subject, Joshua Jones.Deputies detained Jones and encountered Jacob Pilkington as the driver of the vehicle. Deputies noticed drug paraphernalia in open view and detained Pilkington also. While deputies were out with these individuals, three deputies on the other side of the house observed Anthony Sadler run from the residence and hide behind an outbuilding. As the deputies approached, they saw Sadler come out from behind the building and throw something into the bushes.Sadler was detained while deputies searched the area and were able to locate and take possession of a container with methamphetamine. Sadler, taken into custody.Jacob Pilkington was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. Deputies applied for a search warrant of the property which contained a house, detached garage, camper, and several outbuildings. Deputies were awarded a search warrant.During the search deputies located.- 156 grams of methamphetamine- Psilocybin mushrooms- Wax marijuana- Drug paraphernaliaDeputies also located an operational moonshine still. ALE was called in to process the moonshine still.Individuals charged during the incident.- Jacob Pilkington, possess methamphetamine, driving while license revoked, possess drug paraphernalia, simple possess sch III controlled substance- Bond $1,500 secured- John Corl, maintain dwelling for control substance- Bond $3,000.00 secured- Heather Miller, trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession of sch I controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia- No Bond Pre Trial Integrity- Joshua Jones, failure to appear- Bond $1,000.00 secured- Anthony Sadler, possession of methamphetamine- Bond $5,000.00 securedSheriff Travis Allen commented - “These arrests are yet another example of the dedicated service that each Division of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office provides each day. This aggressive, proactive enforcement by our Civil Division is representative of our office wide mission of targeting local drug houses and drug dealers. As Sheriff, I am very proud of these men and women who serve our county in such a dangerous profession.”

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December 2024

Salisbury Shooting Victims Identified

Salisbury, NC: Sunday morning police responded to what was believed to be a traffic accident but soon realized that the accident was a result of the occupants being shot. (Left) Shamarion Hooker, 20, and (Right) Skylar Mackey, 21, were pronounced dead.

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November 2024

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