Crime Stoppers helps authorities in drug raids, investigations
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on April 26, 2006 1:47 PM
Nine people were arrested and 23 cases were cleared in March after anonymous calls to Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers, the agency announced.
Among those arrested was Bobby Lee Rawlings, who was charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.
A confidential caller said drugs were being sold in a house in the 1200 block of East Elm Street. The Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad investigated, then obtained and executed a search warrant for the house. During the investigation, police Capt. Brady Thompson was shot in the chest.
The resident, Rawlings, 58, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. A bulletproof vest saved Thompson from serious injury or death, and he returned to work without missing a day.
Rawlings also was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of keeping and selling cocaine, possession of a stolen firearm and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
A second man in the house, Rico Deavon Lewis, 34, of Green Street, was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Officers seized about $3,200 worth of cocaine, $100 worth of marijuana, two stolen handguns and $1,800 in cash.
Another confidential caller had told the Wayne County Sheriff's Office where a John Deere backhoe, that had been stolen in New Hanover County and valued at $45,000, could be found. Detective Sgt. Rick Farfour found the backhoe in a field off Dollard Town Road.
Farfour then coordinated an investigation of the theft with New Hanover authorities, leading to the arrest of Travis William Stafford, 27, of Hope Boulevard, Dudley, and Gary Daniel Jackson, 26, of Old Mount Olive Road, Dudley. They were charged with felony possession of stolen goods. They were using the equipment to operate a business, detectives said.
The Crime Stoppers law-enforcement coordinator, Goldsboro police Sgt. Dot Ardes, told the agency's monthly board of directors meeting that three fugitives also were apprehended after the confidential tips.
Since the inception of Crime Stoppers in 1982, Executive Director Bill Troutman said 7,077 cases have been cleared, 5,464 arrests made and 1,190 fugitives captured because of anonymous calls.
Anyone with information on a crime in Wayne County is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Callers may remain anonymous, and may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000, if their information leads to arrests in felony cases.