Arson Charge

A Morganton man is charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to an occupied mobile home in the Chesterfield area Tuesday.

Chesterfield Fire and Rescue were called to the fire at 2306 Putnam Street after a caller reported a male subject had set fire to the residence with a woman inside.

As firefighters extinguished the blaze, a news release from the Burke Sheriff’s Office says the county’s fire marshal and Burke detectives began an arson investigation. There were no reported injuries.

Officers learned the suspect, 37-year-old Ryan William Shambre had fled the scene on foot through a wooded area.

Reports say Shambre was spotted on NC 18-US 64 sometime later, was observed by deputies, and fled from authorities.

The release says after a foot chase and resisting arrest involving a deputy and highway patrol trooper, Shambre was taken into custody.

Shambre was charged with felony first degree arson, two counts of assault on a governmental official, and resisting a public officer.

He also had two failure to appear charges from Iredell County where he received a 2-thousand-dollar secured bond.

Shambre was placed in custody in the Burke County jail under a total 92-thousand dollar secured bond.

He, reports say, has 21 pending charges in three counties.

Hydrant Work

City crews will be flushing Morganton’s fire hydrants in the area of Alpine Mill Number 7 apartment complex, Fleming Drive, and Green Street Saturday morning beginning at 8.

Officials say customers near these areas may experience cloudy or discolored water or low water pressure as a result of the hydrant flushing.

Customers are directed to run cold water through their faucets until it clears should they experience discolored water.

For more information, contact Morganton’s water resources department at 438-5276.

Drugs Found

Officers stopping a vehicle for traffic violations in McDowell County discover the driver in possession of drugs.

39-year-old Tina Bielski of Old Fort was stopped on April 21^st, whenever deputies located meth, THC wax, marijuana, pills, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Bielski was charged with possession of a synthetic cannabinoid, possession of meth, possession of less than one-half ounce marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of a schedule-two controlled substance.

Gas APP

Motorists can use the gasbuddy.com app to locate where gas is available.

Simply click on ‘find gas’ and search by city or state.