Wanted Conover Man Arrested After Hickory Store Standoff

A routine property check at a Hickory grocery store led to the arrest of a Conover man wanted on multiple felony warrants.

According to Hickory Police, officers were checking the property at the Food Lion located at 3220 Springs Road NE just before 10 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, when they discovered a suspicious vehicle linked to a wanted individual.

Officers attempted to make contact with the person inside the vehicle but received no response. After further investigation, officers entered the vehicle and located 37-year-old Johnnie Lee Roy Lail of Conover.

Lail was taken into custody at approximately 12:17 p.m. and transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Authorities say Lail was wanted on multiple charges, including Habitual Felon, Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny, Felony Attempted Larceny, Felony Breaking and Entering, and two counts of Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He also faces several misdemeanor charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia, injury to real property, and first-degree trespassing.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Fire Department, and Catawba County EMS assisted at the scene.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Scott Cameron at the Hickory Police Department by email at scameron@hickorync.gov or by calling 828-328-5551.