The prime suspect in the case of the murder of a Boone resident was recently found and taken into custody.
The suspect is linked with the death of Jimmy D. Roberts, 40, employee of the pawn shop Gold and Closeout Connection at 499 E King St.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Roberts’ family called the Boone Police Department, concerned because Roberts had not come home from work.
Boone Police and the Boone Fire Department then entered the locked pawn shop and found Roberts dead from a gunshot wound.
Boone Police said Roberts’ vehicle was discovered missing and items had been taken from the store.
Boone
Police and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation then began
their search for John Richard Gray, prime murder suspect.
Gray, 28, is a resident of Virginia Beach, Va.
Boone Police Chief Bill Post said Gray is also wanted in Virginia and Florida for larceny.
Gray had reportedly been in the Boone area up to approximately two weeks.
After
replacing the North Carolina license plate on the victim’s pewter 2005
Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup with an Indiana license plate,
Gray fled Boone.
The
victim’s vehicle was then spotted in Mendota, Ill. after a caller
phoned in a tip that someone was selling firearms near a local
McDonald’s from their truck.
On Christmas morning, the victim’s vehicle was found near an area hotel.
Illinois State Police secured the area, evacuated guests, located Gray and began negotiating with him for his surrender.
A standoff occurred for several hours before Gray finally gave in.
Boone
Police said Gray surrendered at approximately 9 a.m. on Christmas day
and has been taken into custody by Illinois authorities.
Arrangements
are being made for his transportation to North Carolina to face murder
charges, as well as further possible charges.
Funeral services were held for Roberts Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Greenway Baptist Church in Boone.
The family of the victim is receiving online condolences at hamptonfuneralservice.com.
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