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Investigators shut down Burke County motel after hundreds of complaints

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Doors to the Lowman's Motel in Hildebran were padlocked after dozens of deputies moved in Friday morning with a temporary restraining order.

Authorities have been called to the hotel in Burke County hundreds of time.

Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty spoke with the owner, who plans on fighting the order in court.
There are no guest at the motel Friday night.

Guest Shelia Eddins woke to the sound of sheriff’s deputies banging on her door.

"That they were locking down the motel, that's all that we know,” Eddins said. “How much time did you have to get out? Five minutes."

"Probably one of the best places to go if you don't have much money," guest David Setzer said.

Setzer said Lowman's Motel attracts people who have nowhere to turn and are barely getting by but, according to sheriff deputies, they've been called here nearly 600 times in the last decade for a variety of crimes.

"Everything from rape to breaking and entering to domestic assaults, so we feel like this is a safety hazard for people," Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said.

Some of the guests who had to pick up and leave believe sheriff's deputies had to act.

"Something should have been done a long time ago,” Shirley Avee said. “I probably shouldn't say that, but yes."

The temporary restraining order prevents the owner from allowing anyone to stay at the hotel.

Owner Gaynell Toney plans on fighting the county from seizing the property in court.

"Oh yes, definitely,” Toney said. “I ain't about to let them take us out."

She will get her chance to fight the order on March 6 when the case goes before a judge but until then, the motel is closed for business.

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