A man wanted in connection with a shooting earlier this week, has been located. Burke County deputies, Burke County Narcotics Task Force and an officer from Morganton Department of Public Safety, investigated a tip on Hawkins Drive, Morganton early Thursday afternoon. Officers located David Arrex Burleson, and noticed a powdery substance in Burleson's mouth and requested Burke County EMS, who transported Burleson to Blue Ridge Healthcare Morganton, where he is being evaluated for possibly ingesting controlled substances. The victim of the shooting, Scotty Everette Vess, 51, is reportedly doing okay and may be released soon, according to the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Friday update: Mr. Love was located safely.
McDowell emergency crews are searching for an overdue hunter off West Payne Road in the Zion Hill area. Frank Love, Jr, is currently missing. If you have any information call 652-4000.

On Wednesday the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and Fire Marshal's Office along with North Catawba Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire at 5504 Liberty Road, Granite Falls. The fire appears intentionally set. If you have any information call the Fire Marshal's Office at 757-1277 or Caldwell Crime Stoppers at 758-8300.

A suspect in a gas drive-off flees in a stolen vehicle and is later found in a clothes dryer. Morganton Department of Public Safety Officers were dispatched to a gas drive-off from Quality Plus on Carbon City. Road. The suspect vehicle was reported stolen and was spotted by a PSO on Independence Road. The vehicle was later found parked at 109 Douglas Drive. Officers conducted a safety sweep of the residence and K9 Jaros indicated to human presence in a clothes dryer in the basement. Inside the dryer was Preston Green, 23, of Lenoir, who had three warrants from Lenoir pending service. During the safety sweep, Schedule 1 and 2 narcotics were located along with drug paraphernalia, according to a news release from Public Safety. Also arrested was Alexis Graybeal 23, of Morganton, who was charged with harboring a fugitive, and other charges. Bond on Green was set at $147,000 with Graybeal's bond set at $27,500.