The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported the following, according to Major Anzell Harris:
Two people died late Saturday night in a structure fire that destroyed a home and spread to nearby vehicles on Loop Road in the Enfield area.
According to authorities, neighbors reported the fire in the 1300 block of Loop Road shortly before 11:30 p.m.
Callers initially reported a large fire with the belief that two residents were still inside the home.
Upon arrival, fire and law enforcement personnel found the structure nearly engulfed.
The blaze was intense enough to spread to adjacent vehicles and outbuildings on the property.
After the fire was knocked down, search crews located two individuals in a bedroom. Both victims had sustained severe fire exposure. While authorities believe the deceased are the known occupants of the home, positive identification is pending autopsy results.
Harris confirmed that authorities are not releasing the names of the victims at this time.
The residence is considered a total loss, with only a small portion of the structure still standing.
Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of State Fire Marshal responded to the scene to handle the origin and cause investigation.
While early indicators suggest the fire was likely caused by an electrical issue, it remains under investigation.
The Enfield Fire Department received mutual aid assistance from the Whitakers and Scotland Neck fire departments, as well as Halifax EMS. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office provided scene security and traffic control.
Saturday chase
A 20-year-old Roanoke Rapids man is facing multiple felony charges following a high-speed pursuit through residential neighborhoods on Saturday morning.
Around 10:30 a.m. Deputy J. Morales attempted to initiate a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation on Country Club Road in Weldon.
Authorities report that when Morales activated his lights and siren, the driver refused to yield. Instead, the vehicle accelerated, leading deputies on a chase through several residential areas in South Weldon. Speeds during the pursuit reportedly exceeded 75 mph.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop at a dead end on Woodlawn Avenue. The driver, identified as Jaylin Rivers, 20, exited the vehicle and fled on foot toward Highway 301.
Morales pursued Rivers on foot and was assisted by Corporal K. Tillery and Deputy C. Estes. Rivers was successfully taken into custody shortly after. Upon his arrest, deputies discovered Rivers was in possession of a handgun and marijuana.
Rivers has been charged with the following:
Felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle
Possession of a concealed handgun
Possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Driving with no license
Failure to wear a seat belt
Rivers was processed and held on a $9,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 8.
Traffic stop
Two men face drug charges following a traffic stop late Sunday night in Roanoke Rapids, during which deputies seized marijuana and methamphetamine.
Sergeant G. Martin of the Community Action Team was patrolling the area of Sam Powell Dairy Road near Highway 48 around 10 p.m. when he observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation.
Upon initiating a stop, Martin made contact with the driver, Kelvin Clayton, 27, of Littleton, and the passenger, Travis Robinson, 21, of Roanoke Rapids.
Authorities report that Martin detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During the investigation, deputies discovered multiple clear plastic bags containing marijuana in the driver’s door. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed additional marijuana and methamphetamine. A search of Robinson yielded a digital scale and marijuana.
A records check revealed that Clayton had an outstanding warrant for felony conspiracy issued by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, stemming from the robbery of a sweepstakes café in October.
The warrant alleges that Clayton and several others conspired to commit the robbery by watching a victim win money and watching him through a window.
The group reportedly brandished a firearm and struck the victim in the head with a weapon before stealing $1,300 from the victim’s pocket.
Clayton was charged with:
Felony possession of methamphetamine
Possession of marijuana
No insurance
Service of the outstanding warrant for felony conspiracy
Clayton remains in custody without the opportunity for bond and has a January 8 district court date.
Robinson was charged with:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of marijuana paraphernalia
Robinson received a $1,000 bond and has a district court date set for December 31.
Lieutenant E. Richardson and Deputy J. Butler assisted with the stop and investigation.
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