Gaston County Police

Gaston County Police patrol boats will be out on the lakes this summer working with our law enforcement partners to help keep the water safe and enjoyable for everyone.

As boating and swimming season begins, please remember the importance of water safety:

Life jackets save lives. Vessels are required to have enough life jackets for everyone onboard, and children under 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. Anyone being towed on water skis, wakeboards, inflatables, or operating personal watercraft such as jet skis, must wear a life jacket at all times.

If you are not a strong swimmer, please wear a life jacket while in or near the water. Swim sober, swim with a buddy, and closely supervise children around water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.

Low water levels can also create new hazards, including underwater debris that may be dangerous to boaters and swimmers. Boat operators should wear their boat motor kill switch and always remain alert.

Our Marine Enforcement officers are here to assist and educate. Feel free to ask questions or request a safety check to make sure your vessel has everything required onboard.

Be courteous, follow boating laws and regulations, and never operate a boat while impaired.

Enjoy the water and have a safe summer!

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Gaston County Police Department hosted a joint Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) training day, bringing together specialized regional assets to strengthen life-saving communication skills.

The intensive, day-long training included tactical negotiators from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Concord Police Department, Gaston County Police Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. We also extend a special thank you to the Department of Homeland Security for assisting in facilitating this valuable training event.

By training alongside our regional partners, participating agencies worked to strengthen inter-agency communication, share best practices, and ensure a seamless, unified response during high-stakes incidents requiring mutual aid.

Throughout the day, negotiators participated in a variety of realistic scenarios focused on de-escalation tactics, active listening, and effective communication, all critical components in peacefully resolving crises.

In critical incidents, the preservation of life remains our highest priority, and communication is one of the most powerful tools we have to achieve that goal. Training together ensures that, regardless of jurisdiction, our communities are served by teams that are coordinated, compassionate, and highly skilled in navigating difficult situations.

The Gaston County Police Department sincerely thanks all participating agencies for their dedication to regional safety and their continued commitment to finding peaceful resolutions to complex crises.

Gaston County Police Department was honored to celebrate our employees’ achievements and dedication to serving the community during our recent Awards Banquet. We are proud to recognize the hard work, professionalism, and commitment demonstrated by the members of our department each and every day.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients on their well deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued dedication!

Honoring the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day. Their courage and selflessness will never be forgotten.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

This year, more than 2,000 graduates from Gaston County Schools, Mountain Island Charter School, and Piedmont Community Charter School are receiving their diplomas, a tremendous accomplishment that reflects hard work, dedication, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of each graduate and excited to see all that you will achieve in the future.

Wishing the Class of 2026 continued success and endless opportunities in the journey ahead. Congratulations, graduates!

**NEWS RELEASE**

May 20, 2026 (3:10pm) - Gaston County Police Seize Over 12 Pounds of Black Tar He**in

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Gaston County Police Department’s Highway Interdiction and Traffic Safety (HITS) Team conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 85 northbound near Exit 14.

During the subsequent roadside investigation, officers discovered five individually wrapped packages of suspected narcotics concealed within the vehicle. The driver was detained, and investigators with the Gaston County Police Special Investigations Unit responded to assist. Investigators later determined the packages contained black tar he**in. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also responded to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Black tar he**in has become increasingly uncommon in this region in recent years following the widespread emergence of fentanyl within the illicit drug trade. Law enforcement officials have observed that fentanyl has largely displaced traditional he**in in many drug markets due to its lower production costs, significantly higher potency, and ease of trafficking. Investigators are continuing to assess whether this seizure represents an isolated incident or a potential shift in trafficking trends. The he**in seized in this investigation has an estimated street value of approximately $500,000.

The driver was identified as Avimael Moreno Perez, 34, a Mexican national. Perez was arrested and transported to the Gaston County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.

The Gaston County Police Department would like to thank Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance with this investigation and express appreciation for the continued support and collaboration provided by all of our state and federal law enforcement partners.

No further information is available at this time. Photographs included below.

**Mr. Byers has been located and reunited with his family**

MISSING PERSON

The Gaston County Police Department is asking for the community's assistance in their search for Mr. Tommy Lee Byers, 78 years of age.

Tommy was last seen wearing a long sleeve white t-shirt, blue checkered pajama pants, brown shoes, and had a cane.

Last seen in the area of the 140 block of Z A Hunter Rd in Bessemer City, around 12 pm yesterday. Tommy has rapid cognitive decline (not yet diagnosed).

Please call Gaston County Communications / 911 if you see him.

-Heavy Police Presence around Tryon School Loop Rd in the Bessemer City area-

The Gaston County Police Department asks that you join us in keeping the Stuart Cramer High School family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Gaston County Has 1st Positive Rabies Case of 2026

On Tuesday 5/12/26, at approximately 3:30 pm, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call in reference to two family dogs that had killed a skunk in the yard of a home in the 1600 block of Cherryville Hwy Cherryville, NC. Both dogs received a booster shot from the family veterinarian. There was no human contact with the skunk.

Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the skunk on Tuesday 5/12/26. The skunk was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on Wednesday 5/13/26. The official laboratory results were received on Thursday 5/14/26 at approximately 2:30 pm, indicating that the skunk tested positive for rabies.

Enforcement Specialist completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Cherryville Hwy Cherryville, NC on 5/14/26 to notify the community of the positive rabies results, and verify rabies vaccinations for family pets in the area.

The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all pet’s health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.

Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human Services about the incident.

This represents the 1st confirmed positive rabies case in Gaston County this year.