Duplin deputies seize money, stolen property
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on January 25, 2005 1:56 PM
KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County deputies have seized money, stolen property and arrested several people in connection with an armed robbery, several recent break-ins, a traffic stop and an illegal drug buy.
Sanderson's Quick Stop in Warsaw was robbed last week. But an off-duty deputy was in the store at the time and followed the robbers to I-40, where several officers converged on the suspects' vehicle. Jokwan Lamarr Harvey of Warsaw was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping, among other charges. Robin Isaac Joiner, Anthony Lerome Barden, and Michael Antwan Hall, all of Warsaw, were also charged with robbery and second-degree kidnapping as well as injury to property. They were placed under $40,000 bond. Harvey's bond was set at $45,000 bond.
A cash drawer containing $283 was recovered.
A break-in at a home on Ralph Sutton Road was investigated and several arrests were made. Eva Cotton, Nathan Cotton and Billy Ray Cotton of Mount Olive were arrested on charges of breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods. They were placed under $6,000 bond each.
Investigators recovered enough stolen items to fill a tractor-trailer truck, said Sheriff Blake Wallace, who added that there may be more charges filed in connection with the thefts.
In another case, an undercover DEA agent said he bought illegal drugs at a restaurant in Warsaw. The drugs had a street value of $25,000. Jennifer Anne Deitz and Joshua Steven Mayton, both of Chapel Hill, were charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana, conspiracy and maintaining a vehicle. Bond was set at more than $1 million. The drugs had a street value of $25,000, according to investigators.
A fourth case involved the seizure of $12,000 in cash after a deputy stopped a car for following another vehicle too closely on N.C. 24 east of Beulaville. Officers smelled narcotics and called in a drug dog.
No drugs were found, but the money was seized and the investigation is continuing, Wallace said.
"There were times we seized money, and the people were never charged," said Wallace. "We'll see how this plays out."