Staff reports
KANNAPOLIS ó Vandals spray-painted a number of buildings in Kannapolis sometime Sunday night or Monday morning.
Targets included Cannon Memorial Public Library and the Kannapolis YMCA.
Vandals spray-painted the exterior walls of those buildings and others, as well as windows and sidewalks outside the structures.
Other acts of related vandalism include:
– A representative of Stars Mart reported someone spray-painted gang graffiti on the business.
– Jacqueline Lowder reported someone spray-painted gang graffiti on the front of her house at an unspecified address.
Sgt. T.L. Spry of the Kannapolis Police Department said Monday that an investigation of the incidents was just beginning and it was too early to determine if they were gang-related.
The library is located at 850 Mountain St. while the YMCA is next door at 101 Centre Drive.
Spry said spray-painting by gang members hasn’t been a particular problem in Kannapolis.
“No more so than any other municipality our size,” he said.
Sex offense charges
A 44-year-old Kannapolis man has been charged with first-degree sex offense and indecent liberties involving a girl under the age of 16.
Don Diago Witherspoon, of 400 E. 21st St., is held in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $75,000 bond. He’s scheduled to make a first court appearance this morning.
The charges against him were filed by the Kannapolis Police Department.
Desertion charge
A Marine was held overnight in the Rowan County Detention Center under a military charge of desertion.
Bruce R. Couron of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., was apprehended by Salisbury Police Monday. According to a report filed at the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office, Couron has been absent from the Marines since April 6.
He was ordered held until being turned over to a Marine deserter apprehension team traveling from Arlington, Va.
Statutory rape charge
An 18-year-old is being held under a $75,000 bond in the Rowan County Detention Center, charged with three counts of statutory rape/sex offense.
Jamal Lee Howell, of 2465 N. U.S. 29, Salisbury, is scheduled for a first court appearance this morning.
According to an arrest report filed by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Howell is charged with having sex with a 13-year-old girl.