Tyrone N. Butts
APE Reporter
Perp
Victim
Body Of Missing School Counselor Found; Suspect In Custody
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Fayetteville investigators have found the body of a missing elementary-school counselor.
They found Detrace Mercer dead Tuesday night in a wooded area off John B. Carter Road in Cumberland County. They said he was laying on the ground fully clothed.
Polic
said the discovery came using information from the attorney of a man who had been arrested driving Mercer's truck.
That man, Melvin Shrieves Jr., was charged Tuesday night with first-deg
ree
murder and armed robbery. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.
Detectives believe Shrieves stole Mercer's car, then killed
him and left his body where it was found.
Shrieves originally was arrested Sunday after police officers said they observed him operating a white Chevrolet S-10 truck in a careless and reckless manner. They said he refused to stop.
A brief vehicle pursuit occurred and ended after Shrieves' vehicle struck a wall. Police said Shrieves jumped and ran from the vehicle but was pursued on foot and taken into custody.
Police said a bloody knife was recovered near the vehicle and that Shrieves' clothing and knife holster had blood on them.
He was arrested and charged with felony fleeing to elude and other tra
ffic-related charges.
During a preliminary investigation, police determined that the truck Shrieves was driving belonged to Mercer.
A police report indicated that detective John S
omerindyke
responded to assist with the investigation and went to Mercer's address. He was unable to locate Mercer but said a witness saw Mercer leave his residence around 2:30 p.m. Sun
day -- less than an hour before Shrieves was arrested.
Police said Somerindyke continued to follow up on the case and conducted a search warrant on Shrieves regarding the blood evidence discovered during his arrest.
Mercer's body was found around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Fayetteville police notified the sheriff's office after they determined the crime had occurred in Cumberland County.
***********
Gee whiz, you think this might be a hate crime? Naw, no way.
T.N.B.
Victim
Body Of Missing School Counselor Found; Suspect In Custody
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Fayetteville investigators have found the body of a missing elementary-school counselor.
They found Detrace Mercer dead Tuesday night in a wooded area off John B. Carter Road in Cumberland County. They said he was laying on the ground fully clothed.
Polic
said the discovery came using information from the attorney of a man who had been arrested driving Mercer's truck.
That man, Melvin Shrieves Jr., was charged Tuesday night with first-deg
ree
murder and armed robbery. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.
Detectives believe Shrieves stole Mercer's car, then killed
him and left his body where it was found.
Shrieves originally was arrested Sunday after police officers said they observed him operating a white Chevrolet S-10 truck in a careless and reckless manner. They said he refused to stop.
A brief vehicle pursuit occurred and ended after Shrieves' vehicle struck a wall. Police said Shrieves jumped and ran from the vehicle but was pursued on foot and taken into custody.
Police said a bloody knife was recovered near the vehicle and that Shrieves' clothing and knife holster had blood on them.
He was arrested and charged with felony fleeing to elude and other tra
ffic-related charges.
During a preliminary investigation, police determined that the truck Shrieves was driving belonged to Mercer.
A police report indicated that detective John S
omerindyke
responded to assist with the investigation and went to Mercer's address. He was unable to locate Mercer but said a witness saw Mercer leave his residence around 2:30 p.m. Sun
day -- less than an hour before Shrieves was arrested.
Police said Somerindyke continued to follow up on the case and conducted a search warrant on Shrieves regarding the blood evidence discovered during his arrest.
Mercer's body was found around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Fayetteville police notified the sheriff's office after they determined the crime had occurred in Cumberland County.
***********
Gee whiz, you think this might be a hate crime? Naw, no way.
T.N.B.