Asheville Police Arrest Two Felons in Flood Affectd Areas

Asheville -- October 21, 2024: Asheville Police Press Release: Asheville Police arrested two felons over the weekend for

illegal activity in areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene.

In the first incident, Asheville Police officers responded to reports of a larceny in progress at a business near the 500 block of Brevard Road around 4:22 a.m. on October 19th. 

The suspect,  described as a white male driving a burgundy vehicle, fled the scene prior to officers' arrival. While canvassing the area, officers were notified of an arrest by Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office deputies involving a vehicle matching the description from the recent larceny. Upon further investigation, Stuart Franklin Evans was identified as the suspect. During the arrest, officers discovered he was in possession of approximately $5,000 worth of copper wire stolen from Duke Energy.

Later that evening, around 8:06 p.m., officers conducting crime prevention on Riverside Drive attempted to make contact with a motorcycle that was not displaying tags and had no operating rear tail lights. When officers attempted to make contact, the driver fled the area.

Shortly after, officers located the abandoned motorcycle and driver, Dennis Gates Miller who attempted to flee on foot. Miller was taken into custody after resisting arrest. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the motorcycle in Miller’s possession had been reported as stolen. This arrest follows Miller's previous encounter with law enforcement on October 9, 2024, when he was arrested for possessing another stolen motorcycle while attempting to commit larcenies in the flood-affected areas around the French Broad River.

Arrested:

Stuart Franklin Evans 

-Larceny

-Possession of Burglary Tools

-Second Degree Trespassing

-Parole Violation

-Obtain Property Under False Pretense

Evans was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under NO BOND (ineligible for release) due to a Parole Violation.

Dennis Gates Miller 

-Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle

-Possession Methamphetamine

-Possession Schedule I

-Flee To Elude Arrest

-Reckless Driving/Wanton Disregard

Miller was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $40,000 (or $4,000 to a bondsman) secured bond issued by a magistrate. 

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.