Pastor of Hickory Church Arrested for Indecent Liberties

William Bradley Moss

William Bradley Moss, the pastor of a Hickory church, was arrested yesterday on charges of indecent liberties with a child. Moss was arrested at his Newton home shortly after 5:00 Monday evening . He is the pastor of Victory Empowerment Center International of Hickory.

Authorities started the investigation in July after the mother of the victim notified police of a possible sex offense. Detectives determined that the sexual assault took place in Newton, though Moss met the victim at the church he pastors.

Moss is currently jailed in Catawba County under a bond of $100,000 and faces his first court appearance Wednesday.

Hickory Church Reports Break-in, Arson

Hickory police officers are investigating a larceny and arson case after items were stolen from the Sweetwater Presbyterian Church in Hickory on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

The church's pastor called police Wednesday morning after she arrived at 9:00 and found the church had been broken into and a fire set in the vestibule.

Though the fire went out before causing substantial damage, burglars stole assorted audio/video equipment. Investigators from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case together with the Catawba County Fire Marshal's Office.

Authorities discovered a tire tool on one of the church's desks, and assume it was used to gain access to the building. The suspect had entered the building through a side door.

Anyone with information on this case can contact the Hickory Police Department by calling (828) 328-5551.

Catawba County Sheriffs Arrest Man for Sex Offenses

Eddie Eugene Clemmer, Sr.

Catawba County Sheriffs arrested 51 year-old Eddie Eugene Clemmer Sr. of Sherrills Ford Tuesday night on a host of sexual offense charges.

Clemmer was released to the custody of Kannapolis Police, who charged him with felony first degree statutory rape, second degree rape, second degree sex offense and two counts each of of first degree sex offense and indecent liberties with a child.

The charges stem from a Kannapolis police investigation of sexual abuse committed during a three year period in the mid-to-late nineties.

Clemmer is currently jailed in Rowan County under a $200,000 bond. He will appear in Rowan County court Thursday.

Man Shot at Hickory Gas Station

Hickory police officers are searching for the suspect in a shooting that occurred around 2:15 Wednesday morning. According to reports, a 27 year-old Taylorsville native was shot in the abdomen while pumping gas at the Kangaroo Express located at the 2800 block of North Center Street, or Highway 127.

The victim was taken to Frye Regional Medical Center by a family member and is expected to recover.

The suspect was described as a young white male around age 20. He was driving a Volvo that was either silver or beige in color. The vehicle could have been a model from the 1990's, and the gas cap cover and all four hubcaps were missing. Police have not released a motive, but believe the shooting was intentional rather than a random crime.

Authorities have asked anyone with information on this case to contact the Hickory Police Department directly by calling (828) 328-5551.

Surveillance Photo of Suspect

Catawba County Sheriffs Use Dogs in Search for Missing Man

Authorities in Catawba County are searching for Ken Mohler, 70, who has been missing since last Friday morning. As of Tuesday morning, sheriffs are now using cadaver dogs to search for the missing man, who was last heard from via a text message telling his wife that he was en route home.

Mohler had went to his place of employment, Gregory Wood Products, late Thursday night to fix a pipe that was leaking. The building is located west of Newton. His boss received a call early Friday morning where Mohler informed him that the leak had been repaired. Shortly after was when he sent the text to his spouse, but Mohler has not been seen since then.

Police say Mohler's cellular phone and the keys to his vehicle were both found in the vicinity of his truck, along with indicators that a struggle had taken place.

There is some evidence that suggests that when he arrived at his work to fix the leak, Mohler discovered thieves stealing equipment.

The search is in progress as of Tuesday morning.