Fire & Police Briefs: Police search for men who are suspected in shooting of a 32-year-old

By: JournalNow Staff | JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Published: October 31, 2009

Winston-Salem police are looking for four to five men who they say broke into an apartment yesterday and shot a man.

Police said they responded about 4:40 a.m. to a report of a home invasion and shooting on Vista Court in northern Winston-Salem.

Police found Durriell Brian Simington, 32, shot in the upper back and chest area. He told police that he heard the front door being kicked in and that four or five men entered the apartment. He was shot, but his wife and 12-year-old child were not injured.

The men were last seen running north toward Shattalon Drive.

Police dogs tried to track the men but were unsuccessful.

Simington was taken to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.

Anyone who has information should call Crime Stoppers at 727-2800.

Judge delays hearings regarding sex offenders' right to worship

PITTSBORO -- Hearings have been postponed in a case that pits the constitutional right to worship against a North Carolina law that tries to protect the public from child molesters.

Attorneys for registered sex offenders James Nichols and Frankie Demaio are trying to strike down or change a state law that bars them from being within 300 feet of the nursery at their church. They say that blocks them from attending church and violates religious freedom rights.

A Chatham County prosecutor said that sheriff's deputies charged the men on suspicion that they were approaching young girls through their church contacts.

Judge Allen Baddour considered pre-trial motions Thursday but postponed the case for two weeks.

Three accused of changing serial numbers on motorcycles

WILMINGTON -- The owner and two employees of a motorcycle dealership have been charged with altering serial numbers on custom-built bikes.

David Scott Britt, 51, of Wilmington was charged after an investigation by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

Donald Wayne Hill Jr., 37, of Leland and Robert Anthony Connelly, 36, were also charged, according to arrest warrants..

Britt says he and his 30-year-old business will be vindicated.

Authorities say that the charges came after salvaged parts were welded onto the motorcycle bodies. A DMV spokeswoman said that led to fraudulent titles for some motorcycles.