North Carolina

Escaped North Carolina inmate has history of trying to flee law enforcement

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2025

Press Room

Escaped North Carolina inmate has history of trying to flee law enforcement

Join Fox News for access to this content

You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

Please enter a valid email address.

A “dangerous” inmate who is on the run Wednesday after fleeing a North Carolina jail with the help of his cellmates has a history of trying to evade law enforcement, including one incident in which he “fired two rounds from a small-caliber handgun at three deputies,” authorities say.

John Nigh — whose criminal history includes violent charges and spans multiple counties — is being pursued by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and other agencies following his escape from the Craven County Jail on Sunday afternoon.

“A search determined that the inmate, assisted by his two cellmates had removed a ceiling grating, entered a utility ceiling chase, and exited the roof through a ventilation housing,” the Craven County Sheriff’s Office said. “The cellmates concealed his escape by stuffing a mattress, making it appear that he was sleeping in his cell.”

“Nigh has been armed in past encounters with Law Enforcement Officers and should be considered dangerous,” it warned.

LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES REKINDLE ‘ECO-TERROR’ ARSON SUSPECT MANHUNT AFTER FAKE FIREFIGHTERS ARRESTED

John Nigh’s whereabouts are unknown on Wednesday after he escaped from the Craven County Jail on Sunday afternoon.

In one encounter in June 2024, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office said Nigh fired at its deputies while trying to evade arrest.

“Nigh was wanted by the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office for two felonies and one misdemeanor, including Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Nigh was located at a residence in the Hubert area,” it said at the time.

“However, when deputies approached, Nigh attempted to evade arrest by fleeing out the back door of the home and into a wooded area. Upon physical contact, Nigh fired two rounds from a small-caliber handgun at the three deputies,” it added. “Fortunately, none of the deputies were struck. Nigh was subdued and taken into custody without further incident.”

Nigh later was charged with three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer by Pointing a Firearm in relation to that incident.

ESCAPED ALABAMA INMATE CAPTURED MORE THAN 600 MILES AWAY AT BUC-EE’S IN TEXAS

Nigh was reported missing on Sunday afternoon at the Craven County Jail.

In May 2024, Nigh was facing charges in Craven County including drug possession, resisting an officer and assault on an officer involving fentanyl exposure, according to WCTI.

The station reported that at one point, Nigh tried to escape from a Craven County Sheriff’s Office deputy while in custody and that he also has been accused of causing $200 in damage to property owned by the CarolinaEast Medical Center.

John Nigh is seen in June 2024 following his arrest by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. (Onslow County Sheriff’s Office)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Nigh is described as a White male around 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office said he has tattoos with the letters “JMN” on his upper left arm and a cross on his upper right arm.

Source link

North Carolina

Man arrested in months-long arson probe near North Carolina-Georgia line

Published

2 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested in months-long arson probe near North Carolina-Georgia line

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — A man has been arrested after a months-long investigation into a series of intentionally set fires near the North Carolina-Georgia state line, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says.

On March 10th investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Murphy Police Department, the North Carolina Forest Service, and the Georgia Forest Service arrested 48-year-old Kevin James Roper of Blairsville, Georgia.

Roper is suspected of setting multiple fires in wooded and brush areas near the state line. Roper has been charged with 10 counts of intentionally setting fire to grass, brushlands and woodlands.

The investigation began in late December 2025 after several suspicious fires were reported along Tate Road, an area that straddles the state line between Cherokee County, North Carolina, and Union County, Georgia.

Because of the location of the incidents and the nature of the fires, the North Carolina Forest Service and Georgia Forest Service initiated a joint investigation.

Additional fires were reported in February 2026 in the Martins Creek Community.

On February 22nd, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to one of the fires as part of the ongoing investigation.

On March 10th, the North Carolina Forest Service and the Georgia Forest Service requested assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Murphy Police Department in taking Roper into custody.

Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office made contact with Roper, who was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Roper was released after posting a $25,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court on April 7th.

Source link

North Carolina

Duarte girl kidnapped in 2020 at 5 years old found safe in North Carolina

Published

1 day ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Duarte girl kidnapped in 2020 at 5 years old found safe in North Carolina

A girl who was kidnapped from Duarte in 2020 when she was just 5 years old has been found safe in North Carolina.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it found Karen Rojas, who is now 11, on Tuesday. She was enrolled in school under an alias, according to investigators.

Authorities said she was kidnapped on June 2, 2020.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services notified Washington County law enforcement that she may be in the state.

They coordinated with several agencies, located the girl and took her into protective custody.

“These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.

Due to the age of the child, further information was not immediately available.

Source link

North Carolina

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

Published

2 days ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

A new list from WorldAtlas named the publication’s top 10 favorite North Carolina towns of 2026, including several locations located in Western North Carolina.

Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, and travel.

Previous Citizen Times articles have covered numerous mentions of Western North Carolina from WorldAtlas, including “idyllic” and “unpretentious” towns, scenic drives, a favorite downtown area, and more. In the new list, published March 9, WorldAtlas writers chose their all-time favorite North Carolina towns ― almost half of which were located in the western region of the state.

Here’s what WorldAtlas had to say about mountain North Carolina towns, plus the full list and more.

What to do in Banner Elk, N.C.

WorldAtlas noted the range of activities offered in Banner Elk throughout the year. The town sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts. Writers highlighted the following locations and activities in Banner Elk:

Wildcat Lake, which has a lifeguarded white-sand beach and is used for swimming, non-motorized boating and fishing for largemouth bass, trout, and bluegill
Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum, a museum located at Grandfather Mountain
The Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest suspension footbridge in the United States, which visitors can cross on foot

What to do in Blowing Rock, N.C.

Also included on the WorldAtlas list, Blowing Rock takes its name from a rock formation where the wind appears to blow upward. The list highlighted the following locations and activities in Blowing Rock:

The town’s namesake, “Blowing Rock,” is a rock formation known for views of Johns River Gorge and the surrounding forest
Fishing, spelunking and rock climbing opportunities in the area
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, also known locally as “Cone Park,” which has hiking trails and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Memorial Park on Main Street, where town events and concerts often take place

What to do in Brevard, N.C.

Brevard, also known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” is home to more than 200 waterfalls located across Transylvania County. WorldAtlas highlighted the following locations and activities in Brevard:

Museums, trails, rock climbing and the surrounding area’s many waterfalls
Guided Jeep and hiking tours to view waterfalls throughout Transylvania County
Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, a museum displaying artifacts from U.S. military conflicts
Transylvania Heritage Museum, a museum focused on local history and genealogy

What to do in Hot Springs, N.C.

Hot Springs’ name comes from the natural springs that attract visitors from across the state and region. The springs are commonly visited by hikers seeking relief after traveling along the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the town. WorldAtlas highlighted the following activities and events:

Kayaking on the French Broad River
Trailfest, a celebration of hiking typically held in April
French Broad River Festival, a celebration of the French Broad River held each year on the first weekend of May
White-water rafting and ziplining opportunities in the area
Fishing, skiing, sport shooting, golf, disc golf, biking and horseback riding opportunities throughout the area
A range of accommodations including campgrounds, privately owned cabins, apartments, suites and cottages, with options from basic to luxury experiences