Local Burlington teenager is missing
By Meaghan Carey
A Burlington teenager was reported missing Sept. 14 after running away from home the night before following an argument with police, according to Burlington Police Lt. Billy Black.
Cynthia Lookingbill, 16, was last seen by her father, James Lookingbill, at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 13 wearing white shoes, a black shirt and blue jeans.
“The scenario indicates Lookingbill is a likely runaway,” Black said.
Lookingbill , who also goes by “Susie.” weighs 120 pounds, is 5 feet 8 inches, has brown eyes and hairs and has a scar on her right knee.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Black at 336-555-6220.
Armed robbery toll soars to four
By Meaghan Carey
A Burlington woman was stabbed by an armed robber early Sunday morning outside her Pine Lake Street home after returning there from work as a night-shift nurse at Alamance Regional Medical Center, according to police.
Lucinda Appleby, 51, arrived home around 7 a.m. and was approached by an unfamiliar man after parking her car in the garage, Burlington Police Cpt. Kelly George said. The man demanded money, and Appleby told him she had none.
“The man knifed her in the chest, grabbed her purse and fled on foot down Pine Lake Street,” George said. “She struggled into her house to phone for help.”
Appleby is in critical condition at Alamance Regional, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Her assault is just the latest in a string of robberies. Three robberies with assaults have been reported in the past month in the Burlington area after only 10 were reported in the entire 2006 calendar year.
On Sept. 13, two people were stabbed in the neck and arms near Riverview Apartments on Blaine Street.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Burlington police 336-555-3624.
Five victims injured in head-on-collision
By Meaghan Carey
A Dodge truck and Ford Taurus collided head on at the intersection of Main Street and Blackwell Street Wednesday morning in Burlington, injuring five people, according to police.
Kobe Smithfield, 22, the driver of the Dodge, was traveling west on Main Street, when he crossed the center line and crashed into the Ford. The Dodge burst into flames for a short time, and a patron at the nearby Longbranch Steakhouse called 911.
Extrication tools were necessary to rescue crash victims from both vehicles. Burlington fire, rescue and police vehicles responded, and 16 specially trained personnel were involved in securing the safety of the victims involved in the crash.
Smithfield and his passenger, Janettea Ulaitne, 20, are both in critical condition, at UNC-Chapel Hill Medical Center, ccording to a UNC spokesperson. Brenda Gee, 32, was driving the Taurus, and she was accompanied by her children Beverly, 10 and Blaise, 5. An Alamance Regional Medical Center report said that all three passengers are in good condition.
“The children in this situation were saved by the correct use of safety harnesses and their placement in the back seat,” said Burlington Police Captain Kelly George.
The wreck is still under investigation. No charges have been filed.
