Two juvenile subjects were questioned by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in connection with an incident involving arson and vandalism at Pine Grove United Methodist Church.

Responding to a report of vandalism at the church, a sheriff’s deputy noted that slabs of black top had been thrown through numerous windows at Pine Grove. Also, the screened doors to the church’s barbecue shack were damaged, and a shovel was broken. Moreover, the suspects had allegedly lit a fire on the stove, inside the fire pit, and inside a Rubbermaid trash can. Trim molding had likewise been broken and set on fire.

The investigating officer began interviewing juveniles in the area and quickly located the two suspects who were remanded to the custody of their parents. The church declined to press charges.

In an unrelated incident, sheriff’s officials are currently investigating a burglary that took place recently at Rocky Branch Golf Club. After gaining entry to the building through a door, the burglar(s) stole approximately $1,200 from different locations in the clubhouse.

Anyone having any information about this case is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 706-359-1860. Anonymity is guaranteed upon request.

In other news items, it was reported that a traffic stop made by Chief Deputy Marcy Remsen resulted in a number of charges against Lawrence Elam, 26, of Lincolnton.

After Elam was stopped by Remsen on Highway 47, the subject sped off, with the chief deputy in pursuit. During the chase, the subject was “attempting to discard a powdery substance from his vehicle.”

Elam turned down White Rock Road and eventually ended up in a field on Walker-Hawes Road after he crashed his vehicle into the patrol car driven by Remsen. When the chief deputy approached his car, Elam got out, fought with Remsen, and then fled the scene, abandoning the child he was transporting in the vehicle. He later turned himself in to authorities at the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center.

Elam was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, felony obstruction of an officer, aggravated assault on a police officer with a motor vehicle, cruelty to children, interference with government property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and several other traffic offenses.

The incident is still under investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Georgia State Patrol.

Elam is currently being held at the law enforcement center on a $300,000 bond.

In further items of information, the sheriff’s office made two drug arrests during a traffic stop on the Thomson Highway Monday, September 12.

They were:

l Derrick Jones, 21, of Lincolnton was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Approximately 30 grams of powder cocaine were found in his vehicle.

Jones is presently being held in the law enforcement center on a $200,000 bond.

l Leonard Murray, 41, of Lincolnton was charged with possession of cocaine.

The subject is currently out on a $5,000 property bond.

The two cases are being investigated by the sheriff’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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