Local News
Obituary for Anthony Lennon of Southern Pines
Anthony Lennon (Tony), of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025 (his 85th birthday) at Terra Bella Memory Care after a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tony was born in Flushing, NY in 1940 to the late Joseph & Vera Lennon. After high school, Tony enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1958 and spent four years on flight crew as a ELINT intercept officer.
Following the Navy, Tony spent his career working for the U.S. Government (28 years), retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency in early 1991 as a SIS-3 (Senior Intelligence Service). Tony received the Intelligence Medal of Merit for especially meritorious service that contributed significantly to the CIA Mission. Between his Navy service and government career, Tony travelled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, Africa and Asia & Australia; a total of 28 countries. Following retirement from government service, he started Choices Home Improvements, an incorporated private business in Northern Virginia. The business was closed in 1998 when he & his wife, Alane relocated to Southern Pines.
After moving to North Carolina, Tony volunteered with Habitat for Humanity & the animal rescue community in Moore County. In 2009, Tony began working with Military Missions in Action (MMIA), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization serving veterans with disabilities, members of the Armed Forces and their families. In 2013, when MMIA established an office in Southern Pines, Tony was named MMIA’s Southern Region Program Director. In 2021, health issues forced Tony to leave his position with MMIA. Besides volunteering, Tony enjoyed flying, playing golf and spending time with his family, friends & his beloved dogs.
Tony leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Alane Gaeta Lennon of Southern Pines, NC, nieces, Kelli Dodds of Mesa, Az, and Crosby Gaeta of N.Y.C., NY nephews Chrisotpher Lennon (Mimi), Sean Lennon of Malibu, CA and Walker Gaeta of Washington, DC. He also leaves behind a great nephew, Cameron (Margita) Geller of Irvine, CA and 3 great nieces, Talyor Dodds & Brienna Dodds of Mesa, AZ and Sienna del Gado of Arletta, CA.
At his request, there will be no service. Donations in his memory can be made to Moore Humane Society, https://moorehumane.org, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, https://bestfriends.org or a veteran’s organization of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
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.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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.
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.
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