Media writing crime stories
(Crime Stories)
Burlington Teen goes missing
By: Shannon King
A Burlington teenager was reported missing from her home on Sept. 14, a day after she got in an argument with her parents, according to police.
Cynthia Lookingbill, 16, who also goes by “Susie,” was last seen by her father, James Lookingbill, at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 13, wearing white shoes, a black shirt and blue jeans.
“The scenario indicates Lookingbill is a likely runaway,” Said Burlington Police Lt. Billy Black.
Lookingbill has brown hair, brown eyes, weighs 120 pounds, stands at 5 feet 8 inches and has a scar on her right knee.
Anyone with any information concerning her disappearance is being asked to contact Black at 555-6220.
Local woman stabbed outside home
By: Shannon King
A Burlington woman was stabbed in her chest early Sunday morning after returning home from her job as a night-shift nurse at Alamance Regional Medical Center, according to police. Lucinda Appleby, 51, is currently in critical condition at ARMC, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Appleby arrived home at 7 a.m., when an unfamiliar man approached her and demanded money. When she told the man she didn’t have any, police said, he attacked her.
“The man knifed her in the chest, grabbed her purse and fled on foot down Pine Lake Street,” said Burlington Police Cpt. Kelly George.
Appleby’s attack was one of three robberies with assaults that were reported in the past month in the Burlington area. On Sept. 13, two robbery victims near Riverview Apartments on Blaine Street suffered knife wounds to the neck and arms. The rise in recent crime is troubling police because in 2006 Burlington reported only 10 assault robberies.
George said Lucinda will appoint a special detail to look at robbery string, which will be headed by Lt. Akesha Suleman.
Head on collision injures 5; 2 in critical condition
By: Shannon King
A Dodge truck and a Ford Taurus collided head on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Main Street and Blackwell Street, resulting in five injuries, according to police.
The driver of the Dodge, Kobe Smithfield, was traveling west on Main Street, when he crossed the center line and crashed into the Ford, police said. The collision caused the Dodge to burst into flames for a short period of time. Extrication tools were necessary to rescue victims from both vehicles. A patron of the Longbranch Steakhouse called 911 to alert authorities
Smithfield, 22, and his passenger, Janettea Ulaitne, 20, were airlifted to UNC-Chapel Hill Medical Center for specialized burn treatment. Both are in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. The driver of the Taurus, Benda Gee, 32, and her children Beverly, 10, and Blaise, 5, are all in good condition at Alamance Regional Medical center, according to a hospital report.
“The children in this situation were saved by the correct use of safety harnesses and their placement in the back seat,” Said Burlington Police Cpt. Kelly George. “It’s a lesson for everyone.”
The wreck is still under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
