Sheriff’s office increases patrols around county schools after receiving information on subject from N.C.

On Thursday March 22, 2018 at approximately 4:30 pm the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office received information from a NC law enforcement agency of a male subject from their jurisdiction had been followed into our county, where they lost visual of the subject after getting off I-81 at exit 98.

The male subject, Matthew Recoy Saavedra, a UNC Charlotte Student and resident of King NC is currently out on a $25000 bond for, Making a False Report of Mass Violence on an Educational Property on March 14th.

Saavedra was confronted at a Winston Salem School by the SRO on March 22, 2018 where his vehicle was searched and maps of NC Schools were found but no firearms. The SRO contacted his agency after Saavedra was told to leave and advised what he had encountered at the school.

Two Plain Clothes Detectives found Saavedra’s Red Toyota Yaris and began following it into Carroll County, where Saavedra pulled into Hillsville Elementary School, turned around and travelled into Pulaski County by getting off Exit 98 from I-81 where they lost Saavedra.

Saavedra has ties to Giles County per his Virginia Driver’s License. Our agency began a search for the vehicle to include a heavy patrol of all the county schools, a teletype was sent to surrounding jurisdictions and a local check for attempted firearm purchases was done as well.

This office was advised at approximately 10:30 pm that Saavedra and his vehicle were both back at his residence in King NC.

As a precaution, continual patrols were conducted in and around our county schools throughout the night to include a heavy presence during the start of the school day on Friday.

Our department will continue to communicate with all agencies involved, monitor information as it becomes available and take the necessary actions in a proactive effort to maintain the safety and security of every school in Pulaski County.

From Captain D. R. Johnson

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
Editor’s note: Here is a link to an article on the Winston-Salem Journal website pertaining to the original charges against Saavedra.
http://www.journalnow.com/news/crime/uncc-police-chief-explains-charge-against-king-man-who-threatened/article_54793925-8c80-58b2-8b99-f24cc63eccf6.html