APD seeks assistance locating Violent Crime Initiative offenders

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Asheville Police Department is asking for assistance in locating four wanted Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) offenders charged with crimes including assault with a deadly weapon.

Three reside in West Asheville, and one in South Asheville. All were participants in the Violent Crime Initiative  Call-In organized by Changing Together, a “coalition of community members, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s office and area social service providers.”

Photos and more info below. Information from two APD press releases has been combined in in the information in this post.

For Immediate Release
November 16, 2012
Asheville Police Department
Contact: Sgt. Mike Lamb, Criminal Investigations Division
Phone: (828) 259-5963
E-mail: [email protected]

The Asheville Police Department is asking for assistance in locating three wanted Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) offenders.

All three men were participants in the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) Call-In organized by Changing Together. Changing Together is a coalition of community members, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s office and area social service providers.

Changing Together invites the most violent offenders in our community to attend a Call-In and receive an important message. The community explains that their violent actions will no longer be tolerated. Should they choose to continue on a violent path, law enforcement agencies, through a coordinated information-sharing network, will make every effort to ensure that notified offenders receive the most severe sentencing under the law. However, if an offender chooses to change their behavior, Changing Together and the community will immediately support those who ask for help and assist in providing access to a variety of resources.

Jamal Miller of 16 Emma Hills Drive, Asheville NC 28806. On October 22, 2012 Miller assaulted and strangled his girlfriend in Livingston Street Apartments. He has three open warrants for communicating threats, assault by strangulation and child support.

James Dewon Griffin of 226 Westwood Place, Asheville NC 28806 – he has an open warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, where he reportedly struck a woman in the head with a pistol.

Torean Young of 95 Mills Gap Road Apt 41 D, Asheville NC 28803 – He has 3 open warrants for trespass, driving while license revoked and resisting arrest.

Tyrees Houston, of Hillcrest Apartments – He has absconded from NC probation and parole and has an open felony probation violation.

Sergeant Michael Lamb
Criminal Investigations
Asheville Police Department
828-259-5963

UPDATE: Here’s a follow-up press release about the arrest of one of the suspects sought:

Asheville Police Department Officers located wanted VCI Offender Tyrees Houston hiding in 93 Wedgefield Place in West Asheville. He was arrested for a felony probation violation, where he absconded from his probation. He is currently held in the Buncombe County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Houston was a participant in the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) Call-In organized by Changing Together. Changing Together is a coalition of community members, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s office and area social service providers.

 

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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