A suspect was arrested just before midnight Thursday wanted in connection with the murder of a Newton man.

32-year-old Justin Drew Dalton was apprehended whenever a Catawba County deputy spotted the suspect’s vehicle in a parking lot along Springs Road Northeast in Hickory, according to a news release.

Dalton was taken into custody following a brief foot chase by Catawba County officers and Hickory Police.

He is now charged with the murder of 47-year-old Emden Lee Syres Junior at his home on Sigmon Dairy Road May 29^th.

The sheriff’s office began the homicide investigation after discovered Syres had sustained trauma prior to his death.

Reports say there were no signs of forced entry; and the back door was found ajar.

Dalton also reportedly faces charges from 2017 including misdemeanor child abuse and driving while his license was revoked.

He is jailed at the Catawba County detention center without bond.

An Upstate man faces sex charges in McDowell County.

29-year-old Brandon James Presnell of Blacksburg allegedly supplied alcohol at a party attended by a 14-year-old female in March.

McDowell Sheriff’s reports indicate Presnell had inappropriate sexual contact with the victim on the evening of the party.

He is charged with statutory rape of a child less than 15, statutory sex offense with a child less than 15, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

A Nebo felon charged in 2017 on numerous counts of larceny, drug trafficking, and aiding and abetting armed robbery has been sentenced to a prison term of at least 33 years.

35-year-old John Wesley Harding of JR Circle reportedly entered an occupied home on South Creek Road armed with a gun.

Reports say the occupants were able to flee from the residence, and when officers arrived at the scene, Harding was found to be driving a stolen van.

The van along with a utility trailer and handgun was reported stolen from a Nebo resident earlier in the day.

Reports with the McDowell Sheriff’s office indicate Harding had also broken into a pair of vehicles at the South Creek Road residence, but did not remove anything from them.

Marion Police had also charged Harding for his involvement in an armed motor vehicle theft.

At the time of his arrest, Harding reportedly had 70 grams of meth and 16 grams of marijuana on his person.

Harding has a criminal record dating back to 2002; and is well-known by authorities in Burke, Buncombe, McDowell and Yancey counties.

A detour will take place on North Green Street beginning tomorrow, as crews complete water and sewer line improvements in the area.

North Green will be closed between two intersections – one at Collett Street and the other at College Street.

Traffic in both directions will be diverted away from these areas; traffic lanes and sidewalks are both affected.

People who live in the area though will be allowed access to their homes while the work is conducted.

The detour will be in place for approximately two weeks.