Murphy man threatens hotel clerk to get room

Ronald Edward Coleman

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 8th, 2015 arrest of Ronald Edward Coleman, a 62-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man for threatening the clerk of a local hotel to get a room.

Shortly after 10 pm July 7th, 2015 ,the clerk at a local hotel called the Cherokee County Communications Center stating that a male had come into the hotel and used threats to shoot the clerk to get a room. The clerk further stated that the male in the room stated he would shoot law enforcement if they showed up. Units of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Murphy Police Department responded to the hotel.

The subject was identified as Ronald Coleman, a Murphy resident who had barricaded himself into a home on June 19th, 2015, resulting in a lengthy standoff with Coleman finally surrendering and being taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Coleman was taken into custody after an approximate three hour standoff.  Coleman was charged with Extortion. Coleman had previously been released on a $20,000 secure bond which was doubled according to North Carolina guidelines. Coleman was also given a $10,000 secure bond on the charge of Extortion. Coleman is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a July 29th, 2015 court appearance at 9 am.

To report crime in Cherokee County, please call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.