By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

The Statesville man said later that he needed money for gas and drugs.
Nicholas Wayne Hinson, 23, was in the Walmart parking lot just before 11 a.m. on Aug. 30. He grabbed a pocketbook from a 67-year-old Mocksville woman and took off.
She, of course, called police.
Mocksville police went to the scene. Officers went both directions on I-40. Major Ken Hunter headed north on US 601.
That’s the path Hinson had taken, as well. The problem was, there was nowhere to get gas going that way.
Hunter spotted the suspect’s vehicle several cars ahead of him. It went past William R. Davie, then turned right onto NC 801.
Then about a half mile later, it just stopped in the road. Hunter drove by, turned around and asked the man if he needed help.
He did, he was out of gas, he told Hunter. The Mocksville assistant chief noticed a woman’s pocketbook on the seat. He verified the suspect’s description.
Hinson knew what was about to happen, and took off running, Hunter said. He gave up when Hunter drew his weapon.
Hinson was charged with larceny from a person. He faces charges in Watauga County of obtaining property by false pretense and forgery and uttering …