Man charged with assault on law enforcement officer

MOREHEAD CITY — A Wilmington man is accused of trying to wrestle away a police officer’s gun and baton during an arrest in connection to a break-in at a Morehead City convenience store Thursday.

Dean Michael Newman, 21, of River Road, was charged by the Morehead City Police Department with assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods, resist obstruct and delay, and damage to personal property. His bond was set at $50,000.

Newman and three others are accused of breaking into the Jim Dandy Store at Friendly Road and Arendell Street at about 1:20 a.m.

MCPD Sgt. Neal Nelson pulled Newman’s vehicle over on Arendell Street and Newman ran, according to Maj. Richard B. Abell. Nelson chased Newman who allegedly tried to get Nelson’s handgun and grabbed his baton. At that point Nelson used pepper spray to subdue Newman, according to a MCPD news release.

The three people in Newman’s vehicle fled the scene but were apprehended a short time later.

Donnie Ray Hinson, 37, of Inlet Acres Drive in Carolina Beach and Tiffany Lynn Morman, 21, and Rhonda Annette Lee, 41, both of Longbranch Drive in Wilmington, were charged with breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods, and damage to personal property. Their bonds were set at $30,000 each.