PRESS RELEASE
On 08/30/2023 at 4:25am, the Spruce Pine Police Department responded to the Valero on US19e in reference to a reported breaking and entering in progress. Spruce Pine Police Officers and Mitchell County Sheriffs Deputies arrived on scene moments later and began searching the area for the suspect. Officers observed that someone was attempting to gain entry to the Valero by removing an exterior oven vent on the side of the building. A pair of bolt cutters and a large prybar were left laying in the grass near the scene of the crime. A black Harley-Davidson motorcycle was also found abandoned on Cabin Rd in very close proximity to the Valero. A backpack and other items were found in the ditch line that separates Cabin Rd from the Valero. Through surveillance videos and items found at the crime scene, Officers were able to identify the suspect as Brian Mitchem from Statesville, NC. The positive identification of Mitchem also led to additional felony charges in both Wilkes County and Watauga County for breaking or entering, larcenies and other crimes.
Spruce Pine Police Sergeant/Detective M.P. Burleson charged Mitchem for Felony Attempted Breaking or Entering, Felony Possession of Burglary Tools and Injury to Real Property. We would like to thank the Mitchell County Sheriffs Office and Watauga County Sheriffs Office for their assistance in this case. We would also like to commend the employees at Valero for reporting the crime quickly and their willingness to assistance us during the investigation.
