ANDREWS
Man charged in auto thefts
Local resident Wesley Adam Stewart II, 38, was arrested April 15 in Graham County after an alleged April 9 theft spree of 19 catalytic converters between a used car dealership and an auto shop in Andrews.
In total, his thefts caused $26.254.23 worth of damage – in terms of repair costs – across all 19 vehicles. Catalytic converters are valued by thieves due to the precious metals they contain, including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Stewart was charged with 19 counts of larceny of motor vehicle parts, two counts of felony larceny, one count of second-degree trespassing and one count of misdemeanor larceny.
Stewart’s address was listed as the 250 block of Percy Road. He was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy, where he was held on a $52,500 bond.
He posted bail and was released the same day. No court date was listed on the warrant.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
Two die in an explosion
A house explosion across the Georgia line Sunday morning resulted in two deaths, according to nowhabersham.com.
Residents near Murphy Highway and Pauline Lane said they heard and felt the explosion around 8 a.m. The Union County Fire Department said the home was totally destroyed, while nearby homes were damaged.
People from Cherokee County as far as 25 miles away reported hearing the explosion. Smoke could be seen above Lake Nottley.
The Georgia Fire marshal’s Office confirmed the two deaths. The explosion is still under investigation.
ROBBINSVILLE
Grave-tipping woman freed
Following the results of a mental evaluation, a judge on April 19 ordered the release of an Oregon woman accused in March 2019 of tipping over 61 gravestones in Graham County.
The judicial ruling in Superior Court, involving Dawn Renee Phillips, 61, is in accordance with state law G.S. 15A-1008, District Attorney Ashley Welch said.
G.S.15A-1008 applies to defendants who lack the capacity to stand trial, most likely on a permanent basis. A defendant meeting this two-pronged requirement must be freed once their length of confinement matches the length of prison time allowable if tried and convicted.
Phillips has been in state custody for about 24 months on 61 counts of felony desecrate grave site.
Graham County sheriff’s deputies identified Phillips as a suspect after reviewing security-camera footage recorded at Lone Oak Church near Robbinsville.
Phillips’ lawyer, Melissa Jackson, requested Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bill Coward dismiss the charges.
“If she’s served her time, she’s served her time,” Coward said.
From staff reports.