Two arrested for possession of methamphetamine after witness notices ‘suspicious car’

Published 11:45 pm Saturday, November 25, 2023

By Robert Sullivan

robert.sullivan@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Two people were arrested after police say they were called in reference to a suspicious-looking, damaged vehicle. The witness also said that they saw the two people pulling a car bumper out of the nearby woods.

Police were called to a home in the 200 block of Excel Drive at around 11 a.m. on Monday after someone said they noticed an “odd-colored” silver SUV with two people sitting in it, according to a spokesperson for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The witness also said that they saw the two people get out and pull a damaged car bumper from the woods nearby.

When deputies arrived, they found a male sitting in the driver’s seat and a female in the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Both people were reportedly asked to step outside of the vehicle. During a conversation with a deputy, the female asked to retrieve her license, which she had left in the vehicle. As she was leaving the vehicle, the deputy reportedly noticed a glass smoking pipe located in a bag on the passenger’s side.

Both people were then detained to allow the deputies to search the SUV. During questioning, both allegedly waived their right to remain silent and informed deputies that they had been smoking methamphetamine in the car. The male also told the deputy that he had methamphetamine located in an empty cigarette pack in his back pocket.

Wayne Joseph Dryden, 31, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance. Dryden was also charged with a count of failure to appear or comply. He was given a $4,500 bond and placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Jody Ann Taylor, 41, was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance. Taylor was given a $2,500 bond.

In Salisbury Police Department reports:

• A larceny of a bicycle occurred in the 100 block of Birkdale Drive between 2 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 20. The total estimated loss was $299.

• Tampering with a motor vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Pearl Street between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 20.

• Fraud by false pretenses occurred at 323 South Arlington Street between 7:23 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 14. It was reported on Nov. 21. The total estimated loss was $1,200.

• A larceny occurred in the 800 block of Faith Road at 8 p.m. on Nov. 21. The total estimated loss was $50.

• A theft of a motor vehicle occurred in the 800 block of West Jake Alexander Boulevard at 11:20 p.m. on Nov. 21. Police reports indicate the vehicle was left unlocked and running.

• A larceny occurred in the 300 block of North Lee Street between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 21. It was reported on Nov. 22. The total estimated loss was about $80.

• Vandalism occurred in the 100 block of Parrish Street at 4:50 p.m. on Nov. 22.

• A larceny occurred in the 100 block of West Miller Street between 1 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 23. Police reports indicate a doghouse worth an estimated $50 was stolen.

• Shoplifting occurred in the 1000 block of East Innes Street at 3:50 p.m. on Nov. 23. Police reports indicate that multiple cases beer worth an estimated total of $70 was stolen.

• Ashley Simone Grier, 19, was charged with larceny on Nov. 20.

• Billy Leverne Hall, 53, was charged with larceny on Nov. 21.

• Jennifer Lorrain Thomas, 43, was charged with impaired driving on Nov. 22.

In Rowan County Sheriff’s Office reports:

• Fraud by false pretenses occurred at Timberlane Trail in Salisbury between 6 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2019 and 6 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2023. It was reported on Nov. 20.

• A larceny from a motor vehicle occurred at Cedar Hill Drive in Rockwell between midnight on Nov. 19 and 3:15 a.m. on Nov. 20.

• A larceny from a motor vehicle occurred at Silvertrace Drive in Salisbury between 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 20.

• A larceny from a motor vehicle occurred at Silvertrace Drive in Salisbury between midnight and 8:02 a.m. on Nov. 20.

• An assault occurred at Gray Lane in Mooresville at 10:02 a.m. on Nov. 20.

• A larceny of automobile accessories occurred at Bostian Road in China Grove between 2 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 8 a.m. on Nov. 20.

• An assault occurred at North Fishermans Lane in Salisbury at 4 p.m. on Nov. 17. It was reported on Nov. 20.

• Fraud by identity theft occurred at Cedar Glen Circle in Cleveland between noon on Apr. 15 and noon on Sep. 5. It was reported on Nov. 20.

• An assault and a burglary occurred at Faith Farm Road in Salisbury at 9:34 p.m. on Nov. 20.

• A larceny occurred in the 400 block of Serenity Drive in Cleveland between 6 a.m. on Nov. 4 and noon on Nov. 7. It was reported on Nov. 21. The total estimated loss was $330.

• Credit card fraud occurred in the 3400 block of Morgan Road in Gold Hill between noon on Oct. 15 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 21. The total estimated loss was $4,700.

• A larceny from a motor vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Emanuel Church Road in Rockwell between noon on Nov. 4 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 20. It was reported on Nov. 21. Police reports indicate the stolen property was a Smith & Wesson handgun. The total estimated loss was $450.

• Vandalism occurred in the 1000 block of East Ridge Road in Salisbury at 12:55 p.m. on Nov. 21.

• Vandalism occurred in the 100 block of Watson Lane in Rockwell at 10:49 p.,. on Nov. 21.

• Brittany Leann Laws, 30, was charged with assault on Nov. 20.

• Courtney Strong, 31, was charged with larceny on Nov. 20.

• Darnell John Brown, 35, was charged with a probation violation on Nov. 20.

• Jerry Wayne Potts Jr., 58, was charged with two counts of trafficking of heroin or opium and possession of drug paraphernalia on Nov. 20.

• Jennie Marie Dickerson, 33, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle on Nov. 21.

• Hensley Dale Gray, 43, was charged with larceny and injury to personal property on Nov. 21.

• Bobby Rochelle Hudson, 37, was charged with felony larceny by anti-inventory device on Nov. 21.

• Robin Denise Peele, 37, was charged with harboring fugitive on Nov. 21.

• Billy Leverne Hall, 53, was charged with larceny and second-degree trespassing on Nov. 21.

• Coy Landon Mcleod, 44, was charged with disorderly conduct on Nov. 21.

• Allen Wayne Fleming, 62, was charged with felony failing to notify of a change of address as a sex offender on Nov. 21.

• Emmaline Rose Yoder, 22, was charged with reckless driving on Nov. 21.