Asheville Police Arrest Three During Looting Attempt

Asheville -- Press Release Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police Department officers arrested three trespassing and attempting to

steal from a business in

a flood-affected area on Saturday afternoon. Officers quickly responded to a suspicious person call at a business on Thompson Street around 2:06 p.m. on March 8th. The business owner reported seeing multiple individuals on the property through security camera footage. 

Upon arrival, officers located three individuals in a truck with a utility trailer loaded with construction equipment at the rear of the property. Timothy Lynn Wilds (02/03/1964), Kevin Shawn Smiley (11/30/1965), and Pamela Kent Smiley (08/09/1966) were taken into custody without incident and charged with Felony Trespass During Emergency and Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. During the arrest, all three were found to be in possession of drugs. Officers also recovered several stolen construction items and the investigation into the source of the stolen goods is ongoing. 

All three were booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under NO BOND (ineligible for release) by a magistrate. 

The Asheville Police Department urges businesses and homeowners rebuilding to prevent theft by securely storing construction materials, tools, and equipment when not in use. 

If you have any information about illegal activity, please contact APD at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.

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.