The Kinston Police Department has obtained warrants for Retho Gardner (39) of Kinston in connection with the shooting and murder of Franklin Antonio Bowden II. Mr. Gardner is wanted for First Degree Murder, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts is asked to call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444. Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information that may lead to locating Mr. Brown is encouraged to submit a tip using the KPD Tips app, call the KPD Tip Line @ 252-939-4020, or by calling Crime Stoppers @ 252-523-4444.

All tips are confidential & anonymous. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.

On June 8, 2023 Officers responded to Smithfield's Chicken & BBQ for a Breaking & Entering report. Management reported that someone entered the business overnight and stole US Currency. After reviewing video, management identified the subject in the video as Ashley Cox (a former employee). KPD detectives have obtained warrants on Ms. Cox for BREAKING & ENTERING and FELONY LARCENY.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts is asked to call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444 or by submitting a tip on the KPD Tip app.

Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.