Police presence in Asheville highlights community safety concerns.
Andrew Steve Debellott, a 47-year-old from Asheville, was sentenced to 145 to 186 months in prison for armed robbery, following a violent incident in October 2022. Debellott, a habitual felon, faced additional charges for driving while impaired. The community remains vigilant as crime rates continue to rise, bringing attention to safety issues in Asheville.
In a case that has captured the attention of residents in Asheville, 47-year-old Andrew Steve Debellott was sentenced to an extensive prison term on April 3, 2024. The sentencing follows a serious armed robbery incident that took place on October 17, 2022. Debellott’s actions, combined with his history of criminal behavior, have led to a hefty sentence of 145 to 186 months, which amounts to more than 12 years behind bars.
On that fateful day in October, the Asheville Police Department received alarming reports of an individual waving a firearm on State Street in West Asheville. Responding officers quickly pieced together the chaotic situation. When they arrived, they discovered Debellott’s vehicle involved in a collision on Hanover Street.
Witnesses recounted a startling scene where Debellott, armed with a pistol, demanded money from the driver of another vehicle involved in the wreck. Fortunately, the quick actions of local citizens turned the tide, with one courageous person successfully wrestling the weapon away from Debellott. Thanks to their intervention, the situation didn’t escalate further, and the police recovered the firearm used in the attempted robbery.
This incident was not Debellott’s first brush with the law. His _habitual felon status_ played a significant role in determining the length of his sentence. Under North Carolina law, individuals classified as habitual felons face mandatory minimum sentences. Debellott’s criminal history stretches back to 1999, featuring prior convictions for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon along with intent to kill, which undoubtedly weighed heavily against him in court.
In addition to the armed robbery charge, Debellott was also sentenced to an extra 36 months for driving while impaired at the time of his arrest. The combination of alcohol use and his violent criminal past made it difficult for the court to show leniency. His actions on that day not only placed his life at risk but also endangered the lives of others, resulting in serious consequences.
Interestingly, as Asheville grapples with issues related to crime, another case has arisen involving Tracee Lakiem Green, a 33-year-old former employee of Ingles supermarket. Green was convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with an incident that occurred outside an Ingles store on July 28, 2024, just a few months after Debellott’s sentencing.
During this robbery, two masked individuals, armed with handguns, threatened employees outside the gas station, leading to an injury of one staff member, who subsequently declined medical assistance. Investigators linked Green to the crime through a dark-colored Subaru and eyewitness accounts that pointed to him resembling a former employee. As a result, he was sentenced to serve 60 to 84 months in prison and was ordered to stay away from the Ingles store.
Both of these cases bring to light the ongoing issues related to crime and public safety in Asheville. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior, while law enforcement continues to work towards ensuring safety in the community. As these stories illustrate, the ramifications of such actions can lead to long-lasting impacts both on the perpetrators and the community as a whole.
As Asheville moves forward, residents hope that these incidents will serve as a reminder of the importance of community safety and the collective responsibility to keep each other safe from harm.
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