CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A manhunt is underway in eastern North Carolina after authorities say a wanted murder suspect assaulted a deputy in a Bojangles bathroom.
The Craven County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Dominic Liam Connelly was wanted in connection with the death of his grandmother, Patricia Lopedote, at the time of the incident.
Deputies responded to the Bojangles in Vanceboro on Oct. 29 after receiving reports of a possible sighting of Connelly. They said he used a knife to assault a deputy before running away. The incident prompted a Blue Alert, which is issued after a violent attack on a law enforcement officer.
According to sister station WCTI, Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said he believes Connelly will be in custody by the end of Thursday and searchers are using drones and K-9s to find him.
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Lopedote was found dead inside her burned Havelock home on Oct. 25, and authorities identified Connelly as the suspect in her death. Her vehicle, which had been missing from the home, was found unoccupied on Oct. 28 in a New Bern parking lot.
Connelly faces multiple charges in connection with Lopedote’s death, including murder, first-degree arson, and larceny of a motor vehicle. He now has additional warrants for attempted first-degree murder, felony assault on a law enforcement officer causing serious injury, and resisting a public officer.
MUG SHOT – Dominic Liam Connelly, 24, is accused of murder and assault out of Craven County, North Carolina. (Photo: Craven County Sheriff’s Office)
Connelly was last seen wearing all dark clothing and running toward Bailey Lane Apartments, located behind the Bojangles. He is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes, weighing about 135 pounds and standing about 5 feet 5 inches tall.
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Anyone who sees him should not approach and should call 911 immediately. The sheriff’s office warned that anyone helping Connelly avoid arrest will face criminal charges.
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Anyone with information about this case or Connelly’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Craven County Sheriff’s Office at 252-636-6620 or Craven County Communications at 252-633-2357. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Craven County Crime Stoppers app at p3tips.com/986. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to Connelly’s arrest.
