Authorities are seeking a man who stole several high value rings from a Morganton jewelry store. The theft occurred Wednesday morning at Gregory Jewelers. The white male is described as being in his mid-20's, between 6 ' to 6'4". Employees were assisting the suspect who was looking at several rings, when the man grabbed them and ran out the store. He was last seen getting in a red, four door passenger vehicle. Investigators were informed that the suspect had been in the business a week ago looking at rings. Photos of the suspect can be located on the Burke County Crimestoppers website and Morganton Public Safety Facebook page and City of Morganton website. Anyone with information should contact Morganton Public Safety at 437-1211 or Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

A McDowell County Sheriff's Deputy has received a Region C commendation. On May 5, 2015 Deputy Derrick McGinnis responded to a house fire call on Cimarron Drive in P.G. He arrived to find the residence in flames and the occupant, George Howard, still inside the residence and refusing to leave. McGinnis entered the smoke-filled home and got Howard out. Region C consists of McDowell, Rutherford, Polk and Cleveland counties.

A Marion man faces assault charges from a reported attack on his mother. Marion Police have charged 32-year-old Kevin Christopher Lail with one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and assault by strangulation. Last Friday Lail's mother, Doris Cochran, also of Marion, told officers her son had choked her until she was unconscious and that he had struck her in the head with a can of food. Reports state Lail told police his mother had taken out a life insurance policy on his, and that he didn't want her to kill him. Police reports indicate Lail has an extensive history with law enforcement. Lail was taken into custody in lieu of a $26,000 bond.