Triangle Crime Report Sept. 1-7: Major Arrests, Drug Busts, Shootings, and Scams Across Region

RESEARCH TRIANGLE REGION, NC – Communities across the Triangle saw a wave of violent crimes, arrests, and investigations between Sept. 1–7, 2025. From drug raids near schools to deadly shootings, scams targeting seniors, and high-profile arrests, law enforcement agencies in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Wilson, and surrounding counties stayed busy. This week’s Triangle Crime Report compiles major incidents from local authorities and media outlets, keeping residents informed about the threats — and the responses — shaping public safety in our region.

Durham County

Man Arrested in Durham Shooting That Injured Two Teens (Sept. 4) – Police arrested Ricario Takhi Purefoy, 20, in connection with a June 16 shooting that wounded two 17-year-olds during a party at an Airbnb rental on Fayetteville Road. A warrant accuses Purefoy of firing into the home while it was occupied, conspiring with others to shoot into the residence, and facing multiple assault and weapons charges. He also faces drug charges after his arrest and is being held without bond.

Carjacking Suspect Arrested After Armed Threat (Sept. 3)
Deputies arrested a Durham man Wednesday night after he allegedly pulled a knife on a driver, stole their Infiniti SUV, and fled the scene from a business parking lot on New Millennium Way. The vehicle was later recovered on Drew Street, about 10 miles away, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. He faces multiple charges and is being held without bond. Sheriff Clarence Birkhead praised deputies for their swift response in safely apprehending the suspect

Man Severely Injured in Broad Daylight Stabbing (Sept. 2)
Durham police responded to the Oxford Manor Apartments just before 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, where they found a man suffering from a life-threatening stab wound. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital after the incident near Danube Lane and Dearborn Drive. No arrests have been made. Police urge anyone with information to contact Investigator A. Cristaldi at 919-560-4440 ext. 29283 or submit an anonymous tip through Durham Crimestoppers.

Granville County

Shooting at Bandag Factory (Sept. 2)
Deputies responded to a late-night shooting at the Bandag factory in Oxford, where Shamar L. Coachman was critically injured after an altercation escalated to gunfire. The suspect, John W. Crews, fled the scene but was quickly arrested following a traffic stop in Henderson, and the weapon was recovered. Crews is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and is being held without bond in the Granville County Detention Center. 

Oxford Man Charged in $60,000 Florida Scam (Sept. 2)

Authorities say Cory Woodall, 56, of Oxford, scammed a 70-year-old Florida woman out of nearly $60,000 by convincing her she was helping a wounded military dog and a retired Army general. Instead, Woodall allegedly spent the money on personal items, including a Hyundai, a trailer, and a lawn mower. He was extradited to Florida, booked into the Volusia County Jail, and now faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and grand theft; he is being held without bond.

Harnett County

High-Speed Chase in Dunn Ends with Two Arrests, Two Suspects Still at Large (Sept. 5) – Two people were arrested and two others escaped after a stolen car led police on a chase through Dunn and onto I-95. Authorities said the driver reached speeds of 100 mph before a tire blew, causing the car to crash near the I-40 exit. Four people were inside the vehicle, and while two were caught at the scene, the other two remain at large.

Johnston County

Four Oaks Couple Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide (Sept. 3)
Deputies conducting a welfare check discovered Hector Meraz, 49, and his wife, Norma Merales, 47, dead inside a shed behind their home in Four Oaks. Investigators determined Meraz fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. The couple, well-known locally as the owners of El Charro Grande restaurants in Dunn and Newton Grove, left the community in shock and mourning.

Clayton Man Arrested for Identity Theft at Local Schools (Sept. 3)

Authorities say Gregory Pettiford is facing felony identity theft charges after using multiple aliases to secure teaching jobs at schools across central North Carolina. Records show he worked at Crosscreek Charter in Louisburg, Wake Forest Charter Academy, Durham Public Schools, and Triangle Math and Science Academy in Apex, often under different names and falsified documents. Pettiford’s long history of fraud-related charges has raised questions about hiring practices and the lack of statewide requirements for fingerprint-based background checks in schools.

Lee County

Three Women Arrested After Brazen Shoplifting Incident at Dollar General (Sept. 7) – Three women were arrested after a shoplifting spree on Aug. 23 at a Sanford Dollar General, which was caught on video. Deputies said Kayla A. Thompson, 26, Candice M. Whitt, 33, and Sarah E. Smith, 33 loaded a cart with Tide detergent pods and liquid detergent valued at $300, then pushed it to a waiting getaway car. Video of the theft helped deputies arrest the trio, who now face larceny and conspiracy charges. Warrants later revealed Thompson and Smith were also involved in a second Dollar General theft the same day, stealing $203 in laundry detergent and paper towels.

Man Killed After Fight at Sanford Gaming Business (Sept. 6)
Sanford Police said a 44-year-old man, Eugenio Nicolas Bolainez Vanegas, died early Saturday after a shooting at ETS Gaming on Lee Avenue. Investigators reported the violence stemmed from an isolated fight inside the business. The case remains under investigation, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Sanford Police Department

Nash County 

Four Arrested After Deadly Shooting in Nashville (Sept. 7)
A longtime resident, Calvin Akeem “Chucky” Ellis, was fatally shot on Smith Street Sunday afternoon. Police said Ellis was found with multiple gunshot wounds around 2:45 p.m. and later died at the hospital. Four suspects — Kever Thomas Lee (19), Otha Chavis Jr. (66), Patrick Richardson (50), and a juvenile — now face charges ranging from first-degree murder to obstruction of justice.

Orange County

Two Hillsborough Men Arrested in Major Drug Bust Near School (Sept. 5)

A month-long Hillsborough Police Department investigation led to the arrest of Jarrod Royster, 38, and Arnold Poteat, 32, after officers and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Foust Street. Investigators seized two firearms (one stolen), 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 20 grams of crack and powder cocaine, 0.9 grams of fentanyl, U.S. currency, and drug manufacturing equipment. Royster faces multiple felony drug and firearm charges and is held without bond, while Poteat faces similar charges and is jailed on a $15,000 bond. Authorities emphasized the danger posed by drug sales so close to Central Elementary School and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Wake County

Wake County Detention Officer Arrested on Drug Charges (Sept. 3)

Hillary Morgan Seekins, 31, a Wake County detention officer, was arrested Wednesday during her shift for allegedly supplying contraband to inmates. She faces multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, synthetic marijuana (K2), and suboxone, as well as possession of a controlled substance in jail. Seekins, who had worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2018, was dismissed from her position following the arrest and released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. 

Man Stabbed at Raleigh Hotel (Sept. 6)
Raleigh police are investigating after a man was stabbed around 3 a.m. Saturday at the In-Town Suites on Capital Boulevard and Mayflower Drive. Officers found the victim with minor injuries, and he was treated at the scene. No arrests have been made, and police say the search for a suspect remains ongoing.
Source: CBS 17

Teen Charged After Knightdale High School Cafeteria Fight (Sept. 5)
A 16-year-old girl was taken into custody Friday after a fight broke out in the cafeteria at Knightdale High School. Police said a staff member suffered a laceration to the forearm while trying to break up the fight and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The student faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and is being held at the Wake Juvenile Detention Center on a $20,000 secured bond.

Man Arrested in $110K Fraud Targeting Seniors (Sept. 4)

A West Virginia man, 56-year-old Brian Taulton, was arrested Thursday on charges that he scammed North Carolina seniors by posing as a Duke Energy employee and driveway repairman. Investigators say Taulton defrauded multiple victims between February 2024 and June 2025, stealing about $90,000 and attempting to steal another $38,600. He now faces more than 20 felony charges, including exploitation of the elderly, obtaining property by false pretense, and conspiracy, and is being held in Wake County on a $198,000 bond while also wanted in other states.

Stolen Car Crashes into Raleigh Home, Displaces Family (Sept. 2)

A Raleigh woman and her son were displaced Tuesday morning after a stolen car crashed into their home on Haverty Drive around 3:30 a.m. Police said the occupants of the navy sedan fled the scene, leaving behind extensive damage that made the home unsafe to occupy. No injuries were reported, and the incident comes amid a rise in car thefts in the city, although police say thefts have dropped 27% this summer under a new task force initiative.

Wilson County

Two More Wilson Men Charged in Sweepstakes Break-Ins (Sept. 3)

Three Wilson men and a fourth from La Grange now face charges connected to Aug. 1 break-ins at sweepstakes businesses in Pitt County. Tyrone Monta Batts, 30, was arrested Sept. 3. Batts and two other Wilson men, Marquavious Jermel Atkinson, 29, and Demetric Jamarus Ward, 28, are charged in connection with the Aug. 1 break-ins at the Lucky 7 Sweepstakes in Stokes and at the 264 Sweepstakes in Greenville. Batts was booked into the Wilson County Detention Center with no bond, while Marcus Lashley, 32, of La Grange, is being held on a $2 million bond. 

Across the State (Charlotte)

Ukrainian Refugee Fatally Stabbed on Charlotte Light Rail 

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, was fatally stabbed on Aug. 22 while riding the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte’s South End. Surveillance footage released Sept. 5 shows Zarutska sitting in front of suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, before he allegedly attacked her with a folding knife. Brown, who has a prior criminal record, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; he remains held without bond as officials face renewed calls to improve public transit safety. 

Triangle Crime Report Sept. 1 – 7 Conclusion

The Triangle continues to face challenges of violence, drug activity, and fraud, but police departments and sheriff’s offices across the region remain proactive in their investigations and arrests. Community awareness is key to prevention. As always, Spectacular Magazine will continue tracking crime trends and reporting weekly on developments that impact our 15-county coverage area.