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Third man arrested in connection with killing of Rowan County woman

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Days after deputies in Rowan County charged a 25-year-old man with the murder of his grandmother after the woman was found dead inside her Salisbury home, authorities said they've arrested two other men in connection with the crime.

Investigators told Channel 9 that deputies were called around 11:15 p.m. on March 26 to the home on Dulin Avenue to assist firefighters and paramedics in reference to a cardiac arrest.

After further investigation, officials said the death of the woman, Melanie Anita Clark, was a homicide.

Her grandson, Joshua Clark, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Detectives said Melanie Clark was shot to death.

On Thursday, the sheriff's office said that the victim's pocketbook was stolen during the robbery and a credit card was used after her death at several different locations.

The suspects using that card were identified as Creaig Helms Jr. and Cory Harrington.

Creaig Wilson Helms Jr and Cory Wayne Harrington (images courtesy Rowan County Sheriff's Office)

Creaig Wilson Helms Jr and  Cory Wayne Harrington (images courtesy Rowan County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities said Helms was arrested and charged with felony identity theft.

Harrington was arrested Thursday after a short foot chase.

"That's a scary thought actually, especially this close to home," neighbor Patricia Blevins said.

Blevins' husband texted her at about 11:15 p.m. Monday while she was at work.

"He said, ‘We have a crime scene in front of our house.’ I said, 'What?' But we didn't know what was going on," she said.

Blevins said that Clark was quiet and kept to herself but would give a friendly wave.

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