Under Suspicion: Reports from The Coastview Times Police Blotter

I'm obsessed with NYC Midnight's flash fiction competitions and enter just about every contest they sponsor. What I love is the opportunity to see how my writing stacks up among thousands of writers worldwide and the detailed feedback every entry receives from the judges. Here's a piece I wrote for the 500-word story competition, which ended up placing first in my Round One group--a first for me. I got knocked out in the second round, but that's how it goes. For this story, I drew on my deep attachment to Roanoke Island, North Caroline. The characters are fictitious, but they would fit right in.


​Tuesday
9:05 a.m.: Missing person. A Silver Alert has been issued for 84-year-old Olivia Early of Manteo after she failed to show for the annual Tillett/Early family reunion on Sunday. She was last seen Saturday at about 11 a.m. riding her yellow scooter away from her ex-husband’s home on Agona Street in downtown Manteo. Anyone with information is urged to call the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Wednesday
7:12 a.m.: Vandalism. Police were dispatched to the Manteo Waterfront after receiving reports that the wooden statue of Sir Walter Raleigh had been defaced. On close examination, it was determined to be a wood pecker, according to Sheriff Andrea Tillett. No further investigation.
 
9:23 a.m.: Breaking and entering. A costume used in The Lost Colony outdoor drama was reported stolen from Waterside Theatre after the Tuesday night performance. The thief or thieves apparently broke a window to gain entrance and took a gown valued at more than $20,000. An investigation is pending.
 
Thursday
12:44 p.m.: Suspicious substance. Police were called to the First Baptist Church when a volunteer who had been wrapping donated gifts for the “Christmas in July” gala discovered a bag of marijuana among the donations. Upon questioning, the volunteer, Sally Lester, denied knowledge of the package. Sheriff Tillett asks the donor to come forward to retrieve it. 
 
Friday
9:00 a.m.: Reward offered. The family of Olivia Early is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. There have been no sightings of the 84-year-old Early or her yellow scooter since she was last seen Saturday leaving her ex-husband’s home.
 
9:53 p.m.: Suspicious persons. A person or persons were reported ding dong ditching homes in downtown Manteo. They fled before police arrived.
 
10:00 p.m.: Indecent exposure. Uber Eats driver sought for indecent exposure. The suspect was fully clothed in a Santa suit when he picked up an order from Darrell’s Restaurant but was later seen driving a yellow scooter wearing nothing but a Santa hat. The suspect is described as a heavily bearded, elderly white man. He is also wanted for questioning in the disappearance of 84-year-old Olivia Early of Manteo. If you see this individual or vehicle, call 911.
 
Saturday
11:39 a.m.: Petty theft. An unidentified person stole two cartons of eggs from the Piggly Wiggly in Manteo. Under investigation.
 
2:40 p.m.: Assault. Police were called to the First Baptist Church after a woman dressed in Elizabethan costume interrupted a wedding and threw eggs at the groom, 87-year-old Rufus Early, and bride, 48-year-old Sally Lester. The assailant was taken into custody and later released when the couple declined to press charges.
 
3:00 p.m. Missing person found. A Silver Alert issued Tuesday has been cancelled after 84-year-old Olivia Early was found safe and unharmed.
 
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Stolen costume recovered. The gown stolen from The Lost Colony’s backstage costume shop has been recovered, according to Sheriff Tillett. No charges have been filed in connection with the theft.