Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 29, 1991                   TAG: 9103290737
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKER FACES POT CHARGES/ MARIJUANA SEIZED IN RAID ON HOME LAURENCE HAMMACK

Charles Edward Gowen, 38, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after police raided his home on the 1500 block of Franklin Road Southwest.

Police said today that Gowen has ties with Balloons Over Roanoke, a business that specializes in balloon arrangements, candy baskets and gifts. However, Gowen's position with the business was not clear from the report.

Authorities say they seized "multiple pounds" of marijuana from Gowen's home, but did not elaborate on the exact amount of drugs found.

A search warrant filed today in Roanoke Circuit Court stated that marijuana had been sold in Gowen's home within 72 hours of when the warrant was served, about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The warrant stated that at the time of the drug deal, there was additional marijuana in the home for sale.

In other police reports:

A 28-year-old man told police that he was struck with a skateboard after being confronted by a group of four youths riding skateboards in the downtown area. Clinton C. Quesenberry of Dale Avenue Southeast said he was on the 300 block of Church Avenue about midnight when he was attacked. He was treated at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for cuts to his throat and left side. Charges are pending against a 17-year-old, police said.

The manager of a Northwest Roanoke convenience store was shot in the foot Wednesday night after he went outside to investigate reports that someone had broken the window of his truck. Ron G. Hamad told police that when he went outside the B&G Grocery Mart on the 1000 block of Lafayette Boulevard, a man standing across the street fired a handgun several times. Hamad was hit in the left foot as he ran back into the store. He was treated at Lewis-Gale Hospital.

A Bedford County man told police that he was beaten by a group of six people and robbed of $400 Wednesday night on Hunt Avenue Northwest. Timmy Wayne Blankenship, 21, said the group approached his car, beat him and took his wallet. He apparently was not seriously injured.