‘What’s going on?’: Local, federal authorities search Cleveland County properties

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — A large active search is underway at two properties north of Shelby in Cleveland County. Channel 9 learned a car towed during the investigation resembles one sought in the Asha Degree case.

Since Tuesday night, Channel 9 crews have seen several officers with dogs, all-terrain vehicles, and special equipment on Cherryville Road near Spake Circle.

The FBI said agents executed several search warrants in the county but would not share any details, including any that relate to ongoing cases. They said Wednesday that as many as 50 to 60 investigators were searching the property.

“The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the SBI are currently executing a court-authorized search warrant at a property on Cherryville Road in Shelby,” a statement from the FBI Charlotte reads. “Cleveland County deputies, the FBI’s Evidence Response Team, and SBI agents, including specially trained K-9s, arrived this morning and will likely be on the scene for most of the day.”

People across the county are now focused on the largest search they have seen in a long time. Neighbors said authorities arrived in the area Tuesday around noon and were still there all day Wednesday.

“It’s really quiet down this road,” said neighbor Libbi Bellairs. “You don’t see many police cars except for clocking speed, but not like this.”

Neighbors told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty they hope to learn more about what prompted the response.

“The community really wants to know what’s going on. What are they searching for? Where did the tips come from to bring so much attention to this area?” resident Kim Walker said.

‘Let us know something’

Channel 9 reached out to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who all had a presence in Shelby to find out what was happening. The FBI said the search warrants were not being made publicly available.

We asked the FBI if the search is linked to any high-profile cases in the area but a spokesperson said they’re not disclosing that information at this time.

But there were so many crews involved in the search that some of them were being bussed in from a different location. As law enforcement arrived, they headed out into the woods with rakes, probing devices, specially trained K-9s and ground-penetrating radar equipment.

“They should come out and tell us something. Let us know something,” said Lisa Odoms, who watched from right across the street.

Matthew Canipe told Faherty he hopes police get some answers.

“Like to know what’s going on,” he said. “There’s speculation but nobody knows for sure.”

People in the area told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon that everyone knows each other. Many said they pass the house that’s being searched almost weekly, so seeing the massive effort with the FBI or SBI is puzzling and a bit frustrating.

‘We don’t know if it’s something dangerous’

Shelby is known as “The City of Pleasant Living,” but some people said it’s been hard to think pleasant thoughts.

“It’s kind of a mystery. Whatever it is, it sounds big,” Bob Erwin told Lemon. “It affects us all. It affects us in everywhere we turn,” Erwin said. “You don’t know but you would like to have some idea of what’s going on.”

“We don’t know if it’s something dangerous or someone dangerous. But we need to know what’s going on,” he added.

Barber Rekae Clark, who knows the Degree family, talked to Clark about everything that has unfolded.

“I saw it on the news this morning. We really don’t know what’s going on. They are keeping it under wraps right now,” he said.

That hasn’t kept people from guessing or trying to figure it out on their own. Clark said the investigation is just too big.

“Have you ever seen anything like this before in this county?” Lemon asked.

“Never,” Clark said. “Never.”

Several people parked and watched the investigation across the street. Clark and others said they are still hoping for a pleasant outcome.

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