A former Mt. Mourne Elementary School teacher is facing more than 100 charges of sex abuse, stemming from incidents in the 1980s. Meanwhile, Davidson police are seeking information about a hit-and-run in front of 230 S. Main Street in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 24. Authorities believe a late model white Ford Escape struck the hydrant causing $10,000 in damage and seriously damaging the front bumper of the Ford, which was found at the scene.

Police also are investigating at least three counts of breaking and entering this week, including one in which $1,100 in cash and camera equipment valued at $350 was stolen from inside of a parked vehicle.  Details on these stories and a tally of the week’s arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement may be found below.

FORMER MT. MOURNE TEACHER FACES SEX OFFENSE CHARGES

The Mooresville Tribune reported this week that John Thomas “Tommy” Patterson, Jr., 65, was charged with “96 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor and one count of first-degree sex offense.” He was charged with 14 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor the week before. The newspaper reports that the former Mt. Mourne Elementary School teacher is accused of inappropriately touching students aged 9 to 11 in his classroom in the mid to late 1980s. Patterson’s bond was set at $350,000, which he posted.

DETECTIVE INGRAM LEADS INTERNET SAFETY MEETING

Detective Steve Ingram of the Davidson Police Department will host a meeting at the River Run Golf Club on Wednesday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Internet safety risks and how to stay safe online. Detective Ingram will answer questions from attendees after his presentation. No RSVP is necessary. Please direct questions about this meeting to Vallee Bubak of the River Run POA at (704) 765-9251 or via email: valleebubak@gmail.com.

FIRE HYDRANT HIT AND RUN

Hydrant on S. Main St. was damaged Feb. 24

The Davidson Police Department released the following statement last week after an unknown driver struck a fire hydrant and drove away without reporting it at around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24:

The Davidson Police Department seeks information on a hit-and-run accident involving a fire hydrant on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at approximately 2:30 a.m. in front of 230 South Main Street. An unknown driver struck, and seriously damaged, the fire hydrant in front of the house next to town hall, causing an estimated $10,000 in damage.
A trail of the vehicle’s transmission fluid led north on Main Street, then east on Concord Road.  Officers lost the trail on Concord Road near Faculty Drive. The vehicle’s front bumper was left at the scene of the crash. The vehicle is believed to be a newer model Ford Escape SUV and is believed to be white in color. The vehicle will have significant front-end damage. If you are aware of any vehicles matching this description with a missing front bumper, please contact the Davidson Police Department at 704-892-5131 or North Meck Crimestoppers at 704-896-7867 or www.northmeckcrimestoppers.org.  Persons providing information may remain anonymous.

INCIDENT REPORTS

MONDAY, FEB. 18, Concord Road at Faculty Drive – A Cornelius woman driving a 1999 Saab struck the rear passenger door of a passing 2008 Ford as the Saab pulled out of a parallel parking space. No injuries were reported, but total combined damage to the vehicles was estimated at $1,300.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20, 1:34 p.m., Davidson-Concord Road at Parting Oaks Lane – A Lexington man driving a 2007 Kenworth truck rear-ended a Davidson man’s 2008 BMW as the BMW entered the left turn lane. The truck was using the turning lane to go around a garbage truck at the time of the accident, and the truck driver told police that he did not see the BMW stop to yield to oncoming traffic prior to the accident. Total combined damage to the vehicles was estimated at $4,200.

FRIDAY, FEB. 22, 11:25 a.m., I-77 Exit Ramp at Griffith Street – A Denver woman driving a 2010 Chevrolet rear-ended a 2002 Pontiac being driven by a China Grove woman who was yielding to another vehicle on Griffith Street as both vehicles exited I-77. Total combined damage to the vehicles was estimated at $2,700.

FRIDAY, FEB. 22, 12:00 p.m., 400 Avinger Lane, The Pines at Davidson – A Davidson woman driving a 2002 Honda accidentally backed into a parked Hyundai. The driver of the Honda thought that her vehicle was in park when it was actually in reverse. Total combined damage to the vehicles was estimated at $500.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 11:54 a.m., 900 block of Central Park Drive – Police are investigating a case of larceny in which an unknown suspect stole $1,100 in cash and $350 worth of camera equipment from inside of a parked vehicle.

SUNDAY, FEB. 24, 11:41 p.m., 18600 block of Rollingdale lane – Police received a report that a juvenile was missing from her home. The girl was located soon after she was reported missing.

SUNDAY, FEB. 24, 5:18 p.m., O Henry Avenue at Clemmons Place – A Davidson woman driving a 2006 Honda struck a parked 2004 Ford, causing the Ford to slide along the gravel parking lot and push over a yellow Transcontinental Gas Line marker. Total combined damage to the vehicles and the gas line marker was estimated at $1,600.

MONDAY, FEB. 25, 7:24 a.m., 433 South Main St., Archer’s Wrecker Service – Police are investigating a case of trespassing that occurred in the wrecker service’s storage lot that occurred between Saturday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 25.

MONDAY, FEB. 25, 11:49 a.m., 1000 block of Central park Circle – Police are investigating a case of breaking and entering in which an unknown suspect broke into the back door of a home with the intention of stealing from inside.

MONDAY, FEB. 25, 300 block of Jetton Street – Police are investigating a case of breaking and entering into a residence that occurred between 9:15 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. An exterior door sustained $300 in damage during the break-in.

TUESDAY, FEB. 26, 3:50 p.m., 404 Armour St. – A Manasquan, NJ, woman driving a 2006 Lexus backed into a Cornelius woman’s 2008 Honda while attempting to back into a parking space. Total combined damage to the vehicles was estimated at $900.

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT: FEB. 18-24

• BEATY STREET - 1 citation for speeding
• CONCORD ROAD - 1 citation for speeding
• DAVIDSON GATEWAY - 1 citation for expired registration
• EAST ROCKY RIVER ROAD - 2 citations for speeding
• GREY ROAD - 2 citations for speeding
• GRIFFITH STREET - 18 citations for speeding, 1 for expired registration, 1 for failing to yield to a turning car, and 1 for possession of marijuana
• INTERSTATE-77 - 1 citation for no operator’s license and 1 for driving while license revoked
• KIMBERLY ROAD - 1 citation for speeding
• LORIMER ROAD - 1 citation for expired registration
• MAIN STREET - 1 citation for expired registration, 1 for speeding
• NC-73 - 1 citation for expired registration
• NC-115 - 1 citation for speeding and 1 for improper passing
• PINE ROAD - 1 citation for failing to stop at a stop sign
• ROBERT WALKER DRIVE - 1 citation for speeding

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