City man charged in string of thefts
By Lee Williams
Published in News on December 5, 2006 1:45 PM
Goldsboro police have stopped a man wanted in connection with a two-week crime spree.
Danny Mack Coley, 49, of Palm Street, faces charges of five counts of common law robbery and one count of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle. He was being held at the Wayne County Jail on a $500,000 bond, police said. The charges stem from allegations Coley robbed five people in broad daylight from Nov. 15 to Nov. 28.
On Nov. 15, Coley allegedly approached a woman in her vehicle at 12:18 p.m. and asked for a ride at the Wayne County Library. When the woman refused, Coley allegedly reached into her vehicle and across her and grabbed her pocketbook. After a brief struggle, Coley allegedly took the purse and ran away, police said.
"(The woman) received bruises on her arms from the struggle," Investigator Doug Bethea said. "(Her) pocketbook was recovered on a rooftop at Herman Park Center the next day, and all of her property was recovered except her cash."
On Nov. 21, Coley allegedly followed a man to his vehicle at 11:45 a.m. He reached into the victim's pants pocket and took his wallet after a brief struggle. The incident occurred near William Long's dentist office at 308 N. Taylor St.
On Nov. 24, Coley allegedly grabbed a man from behind in a bear hug at 12:07 p.m. and took his wallet. The theft occurred in the parking lot of DJ Fashion, 2203 E. Ash St. Coley allegedly ran north on Durant Street after taking the wallet, police said.
On Nov. 27, Coley allegedly approached another man from behind and stole his money clip at 11:15 a.m. The theft occurred in the parking lot of Save More, 1903 E. Ash St.
The final robbery occurred Nov. 28 at 12:30 p.m. However, in this instance, Coley allegedly assaulted a man.
"(The man) reported that a subject pushed him against his truck and took his wallet from his left, rear pants pocket," Bethea said. "(He) stated that the subject ran from the area."