Local News
Lobelia driver avoids serious injury in Fourth of July crash
A young man miraculously walked away from a crash near Lobelia on Friday afternoon. The single-vehicle crash happened on Lobelia Road, just east of McGill Road, around 2:15 p.m.
According to officials at the scene, a Toyota Tacoma was traveling west toward Vass when it went through an S-curve and lost control. The truck veered off the right side of the road, struck a tree, spun around, and narrowly slid between another tree and a cable marker before coming to rest on its driver’s side against a tree.
Amazingly, the male driver, who was the only occupant, was able to get out of the vehicle on his own and was walking along the road when emergency crews arrived.
His only visible injuries were to one of his hands. He was transported to Moore Regional Hospital via EMS.

The truck’s passenger-side wheel and suspension were completely torn off. The roof and passenger side were ripped open, leaving the vehicle nearly unrecognizable.
Because of the extensive damage, Cypress Pointe Fire Department was initially requested for possible entrapment. Once responders confirmed there were no other occupants, the additional rescue was canceled.
According to the N.C. Highway Patrol on scene investigating the crash, speed was a factor, but there were no signs of impairment.
Lobelia Road was shut down between McGill Road and McPherson Road while crews cleared the scene and removed the vehicle.
Responding units included Crains Creek Fire Department, Cypress Pointe Fire Department, Moore County EMS, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, and the N.C. Highway Patrol.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Daniel Gwyn. Daniel has been reporting breaking news for Sandhills Sentinel since 2020.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Local News
2 arrested in ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Local News
Three facing charges after Aberdeen drug search
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Local News
Two arrested in multi-county ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
-
Local News7 months ago
What’s cooking in Moore County?
-
Local News8 months ago
Pregnant driver airlifted after Pinebluff crash
-
Local News8 months ago
Pregnant woman airlifted after Pinebluff crash
-
Local News8 months agoDriver trapped, roadway shut down after Cameron crash
-
Local News7 months ago
Obituary for Lori Griffin Smith of Carthage
-
Local News7 months ago
Music and more at Live After 5
-
Local News7 months agoFamily displaced after fire destroys home in Eagle Springs
-
Local News7 months agoTurning a new page: Progress made on new Aberdeen Library
