Remember them fondly...

News Years Eve is here and many of us will have a toast of cheer to celebrate the beginning of 2013.   As the last strains of Auld Lange Syne fade after midnight,  please don't let your celebrations get out of hand.

According to the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program, about 3 out of every 10 people in America are involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their life, and drunk drivers kill somebody every hour of every day across this country.

In North Carolina,  the 'BOOZE IT and LOSE IT' enforcement campaign will be in full swing throughout the New Year Holiday.   The Greenville Police Department is a very active participant in that life-saving enforcement effort.  Drivers can expect to see enforcement activities all around the City.

Here are some facts about the Driving While Impaired (DWI) law in NC:

• Imposes a $10,000 maximum fine for DWI offenses.  A conviction means an automatic license revocation for 1 year,  along with at least 24 hours imprisonment and 24 hours of community service.
• Imposes a 30-day administrative driver license revocation for persons who refuse to take the alcohol or drug test requested by an officer, or who have a 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or 0.01 BAC if underage 21.
• Allows vehicle seizure and forfeiture for a driver who is impaired and whose license is revoked for DWI, or who is impaired and has no license and no insurance.
• Even if you refuse to take an alcohol test, the arresting officer is still entitled to take a blood sample from you.
• Besides the fines and imprisonment, your car insurance rates may go up as much as 400%, and attorney costs may exceed $4,000 or more.

Old times and old friends should not be forgotten, but remembered fondly and with love.  How sad it would be to have to remember them as being arrested, injured, or killed as a result of drunk driving.  

So, Please don't drink and drive.  

Happy New Year, everyone.

Green turkey and no gravy...

This past weekend our patrol officers on D Platoon conducted Operation GREEN TURKEY.  This was an effort to serve outstanding arrest warrants on as many offenders as possible in order to get them off the street, and make our City's Christmas safer.

Over the course of the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,  GPD patrol officers located and arrested more than 30 offenders and wanted persons.  They were able to do this in between their regular duties, calls for service, responses to car crashes, and other calls..and it demonstrates a real dedication to our community.

Lt. White, Sgt. Liverman, and all the officers of D Platoon deserve a special thank you for their efforts.   Hopefully, their hard work will help keep Greenville safe for the holidays. 

Incidentally, the name GREEN TURKEY is a reference to the prison food these offenders will eat instead of the home-cooked meals made by mama.    And while they are in jail, they will not have an opportunity to victimize others.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Not in a church..

On December 17, 2012 Greenville Patrol Officers served arrest warrants on Kevin Gerard Brown for 3 Motor vehicle B & E’s that occurred on December 6 at 1750 Wimbledon Drive (Next Level Training Center) and 1802 Old Firetower Road (Rose’s Gymnastics).

Through further investigation, Detectives  C.A. Walker and S.E. Pyles were able to obtain 17 additional arrest warrants for Brown. Each of these offenses involves the theft of a purse or other items stolen from vehicles at church parking lots around the city.  Brown was arrested and jailed under an additional $250,000 secured bond.

Detectives are continuing to investigate other cases.  Additional arrests and charges against Brown, and other suspects, may occur.

Although these cases are resolved with arrests, the Greenville Police Department continues to urge citizens to use good safety practices by removing valuable items from your cars, and by locking your cars at all times.

Do you see what I see...

The Greenville Police Department has purchased 26 on-body officer camera systems and has implemented the use of these cameras to supplement policing activities across the City.

The AXON Flex system is an on-body officer camera designed to be worn by first responders such as law enforcement, that captures video evidence from the officer’s perspective.  The camera is worn on the body or the head, capturing 90% more information than in-car dash cameras.  It has multiple mounting options, including an integrated mount with protective eyewear, as well as shirt-collar, epaulette, ball cap, and helmet mounts.

                                                                                   

Because the majority of what law enforcement officers do is away from the patrol car, this system was designed for comfort, convenience and performance but most importantly it is designed to capture video evidence from the vantage point of the officer’s perspective. 

On-body cameras provide police officers with these key benefits:

• They raise the quality of evidence gathered from police activity.  Videos aid in criminal investigations and become evidence in cases.
• They enhance the public trust and create safer communities at a lower cost. Often times a suspect or offender will modify his behavior when he learns he is being video-taped.
• Videos aid in administrative investigations by providing an accurate record of events.  The Department believes this will decrease litigation and increase cost savings by reducing false complaints, and making the investigation of complaints easier and simpler.

 This truly is cutting edge stuff...

Send me your money, he writes...

Members of the Financial Crimes Unit, Greenville Police Department and United States Postal Inspection Service executed a search warrant at Park West Drive Apartments concerning bank fraud and several versions of what is commonly known as the Nigerian Scam.  

The evidence recovered during the service of this search warrant supports the allegation that such frauds occurred. Evidence will be examined and evaluated with additional charges expected. 

The suspect in this investigation was located and served with 27 warrants for Obtaining Property by False Pretense. This investigation involves the loss of thousands of dollars by the victims.  In addition, approximately $20,000 in property was seized including computers, flat screen televisions, and other high end electronics. Evidence of Western Union transaction frauds was also recovered.

Arrested was Olanitan Michael Olaniyi, a Nigerian national and legal resident of the United States.  

The arrest comes after an intensive three month investigation. 

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.  Olaniyi was confined to the Pitt County Detention Center under a $1 Million Dollar secured bond.

54...

Since October, 1984 Sgt. Robert Brewington has served this City as a Greenville Police Officer.   His friends have always called him "Brew," over the years, however younger officers had recently nicknamed him, "Grandpa."

Sgt. Brewington supervised the Traffic Safety Unit for the past 6 years, and prior to that he was one of the principal officers in that unit for many years.  Brew is an expert on the Traffic Safety Laws of North Carolina, and helped make the Greenville Traffic Safety Unit one of the best regarded TSUs in North Carolina.  

The simple fact is that TSU's work saves lives, and Sgt. Brewington is responsible for that in a big way.    

Sgt. Brewington was  a working supervisor;  An Officer's Officer.  He  regularly made DWI arrests and worked the traffic details and other assignments right along side the younger officers.

Sgt. Brewington was a driving instructor for the Greenville Police Department. It was not uncommon for a young officer to make any driving instructor car sick after a short while on the road course or driving simulator...and Brew was not immune to that, either.  It was part of the price he would pay to help other officers learn to be safe while engaged in pursuit and defensive driver training.

Congratulations, Brew, on your well-earned and well-deserved retirement. 

Sign here, please...

 During the holiday season many people send and receive gifts through delivery services such as FedEx and UPS.  Sometimes, these delivery services may leave packages at the doorstep, making them easy targets for theft.   The Greenville Police Department asks residents to follow a few simple steps to help them avoid becoming a victim of delivery package theft.

• Request a signature confirmation on all deliveries.  UPS and FedEx will not leave packages at the door for items requiring a signature upon delivery.
• If you do plan to receive packages at your door, alert neighbors of expected deliveries and ask them to hold the package for you or place it inside your garage or other area where it is not visible to would-be thieves.
• Keep up with the delivery of your package with its tracking number, which will give you an expected delivery date.
• Consider having valuable items insured.
• Consider having packages delivered to another location where someone is more likely to be present during delivery.  For example, your workplace or a friend or family member’s home.
• Notify the Police Department immediately if you see anything suspicious.
• Be a good witness by providing accurate information on suspicious persons and/or vehicles to include tag numbers, vehicle color and suspect description.
• Leave special instructions if possible to have a package left at the side or back door, out of sight from the road, instead of the front door.

With the ease of the internet, purchases can be made in the convenience of your own home, on your own time, with the rewards showing up on your doorstep.  But packages left unattended on your front steps, even for a short while, may just be too attractive for thieves to pass up.

Remember, crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

Tis the season...

Here are a few holiday safety tips for shoppers:

1.  Always park your car in a well-lighted area and avoid areas with dark corners and blind spots.

2.  Take notice of your surroundings.  Keep your car keys handy.  Once you are safely in your car, make certain you lock your car doors.

3.  Place all your packages and valuables safely out-of-sight.  Store items in the trunk.

4.  When shopping, never walk away from your cart while your purse or other valuables are left sitting.  Stay Alert.  Don't let yourself get distracted by strangers.

5.  If something does not feel right, report it promptly to store management or call the police.

6.  Do not be afraid to find a security guard and ask for an escort to your car if you feel uneasy or afraid.

7.  Use the Buddy System.  Shop with a friend and look out for each other.

8.  Don't try to carry too much at one time.  Juggling packages, car keys, cell phone, and a purse makes you an easy target.

9.  Never leave your car running.  Don't think you can dash inside a store for a quick purchase and leave your car running.  Not only is that against the law, but its darn right foolish.

10.  The simplest tip of all:   LOCK your car when you walk away from it.

Closure...or not

The dawn of December 18, 2010 broke very cold and windy.  Police Officers had already strung crime scene tape around the parking lot by the time the detectives and forensics technicians arrived on scene.  Police cars were parked, crowded,  along the narrow street.  On nearby porches,  a few bystanders in pajamas watched.

Behind an apartment building, at the end of a cul-de-sac that runs off Hooker Road, the body of Larry Maurice Campbell was sprawled out on the pavement, not far from a car.  There was a large pool of blood beneath his head, and his eyes were open.

Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit began a homicide investigation that morning.    Through several weeks of interviews, phone calls, neighborhood canvasses, and more interviews, the truth of how Larry Campbell died finally came to light.

Today the investigation into the murder of Larry Campbell comes to an end.  Two young men, Paris White and Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty to killing Campbell.  They will each serve a minimum of 10 years in prison.

The end of this case brings closure to a family of Larry Campbell, and ends a criminal investigation, but it won't bring Larry Campbell back to life.

Called to his purpose...

Today marks the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another.  Detective Cpl. Connie Elks will officially retire from the Greenville Police Department today, after serving our community for 30 years.

Many people in our City know Connie Elks as a public servant, a wife, a mother, a church member, a co-worker, and a friend.   We at the Greenville Police Department consider her to be a wonderful human being.   

She has always come to work with a smile on her face and a positive attitude in her heart.   Connie has served this department as a dispatcher, police patrol officer, juvenile services detective, DARE officer, and for the past 10 years, as a homicide detective.

No matter the challenge,  Connie Elks seems always to have taken a "Can Do" approach to the varied assignments and cases that she faced.   She has demonstrated an inexhaustible spirit in the performance of her duties, sometimes under the most heart-wrenching and stressful conditions.   

Few people outside law enforcement and her family will ever truly know the toll it takes on the spirit, or the circumstances she and other detectives have faced, while investigating and solving some very heinous crimes, bringing closer to the families of victims.

Yet through it all, Connie has persevered. 

We thought this would be a fitting tribute to one of the best people who ever walked through the doors of the Greenville Police Department.  It is a verse from the Book of Romans:   

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Congratulations Connie, on your retirement.  And, Thank you for your service to this City.  

Greenville Police Department Major Crimes Unit: 2012
Detective Corporal Connie Elks, front & center

Look closely...

The Greenville Police Department is again warning retailers and citizens to please be on the lookout for counterfeit currency, especially during the holiday season.  Over the past few months, officers and detectives have responded to over a dozen cases of counterfeit bills passed at local stores.

Counterfeit money is easily detected when you take the time to check.  Look for the security thread running from top to bottom.   You can also look for color-shifting ink and the hologram when you hold money up in the light.   You should also see a watermark bearing the image of the person whose portrait in on the bill.

Commercial markers commonly used to detect counterfeit bills are not reliable indicators and should not be depended upon as the sole detector for counterfeit money.

Retailers and customers should examine their money closely during each transaction.  Counterfeiters are depending on you to hurry and complete a transaction.

If you detect or receive a counterfeit note, do not return it to the person who passed it to you.   Delay that person if possible.  Observe the suspect’s description, license plate, and vehicle description if possible.   Contact law enforcement immediately.  

We all have a role in guarding against crime.  You can help protect your community by becoming familiar with the characteristics of U.S. currency, and by alerting law enforcement when you suspect someone is passing counterfeit money.

You can learn more about counterfeit money by visiting the U.S. Secret Service website:  http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml

Keep it simple...

You might have heard or read about the phrase, "Crime Triangle" today...

The crime triangle offers an easy way to visualize and understand crime problems. Three things  must exist in order to have a crime: an offender, a victim, and a location.   Those three things are the three sides of the crime triangle.  Lacking any one of  these sides, and there is no triangle; a crime will not occur.

A patrol officer on the street may be one way of eliminating the crime. the officer takes away location and may cause an offender to change behavior at that moment. 

A potential victim who changers their behavior alters the triangle, too, by using good safety practices and reducing at-risk bahaviors.

When an offender goes to jail or a potential offender changes his ways, that eliminates crimes committed by him...part of the crime triangle being altered.

One aspect of Crime Prevention is altering one of those three elements and thus reducing crime...

As guardians, we all have the ability to affect the crime triangle; either by taking away location (it also may be called "opportunity")  or by providing safety for the victims, or by arresting offenders...

You are guardians, too.   As citizens, you can take away the opportunity (Location) by using good safety practices   You can also reduce your chances of being a victim.

By attacking and changing 2 sides of the triangle, we certainly eliminate the chances of crime happening in our areas..and we are much more effective.

It's a simple way to think about Crime Prevention, and we all like to keep things simple when we can.

No means no...

According to FBI statistics, about 90,000 women are sexually assaulted each year.  

Officers from the Greenville Police Department and from East Carolina University Police have been offering ways for the women in our community to reduce the odds against them, and to allow a way for them to protect themselves, by providing a free self defense class, called RAD, or Rape Aggression Defense.

Recently,  WNCT channel 9 visited the Greenville Police Department and featured a RAD class being taught by Detective K.Z. Edwards and Detective Diane Smock.   

Here is the video:  RAD Training at the Greenville Police Department

The RAD training class is a 12-hour course usually broken down into a couple nights over 2 weeks.  RAD's goal is to develop and enhance a woman's self defense options so they become viable considerations when a woman is attacked.

RAD's basic physical defense training is simple to learn, easy to retain, and easy to use during real life confrontational situations.

The class is free to woman and teenagers.  It eliminates the myths that women are physically powerless against men, and gives them an renewed awareness of their true physical power, as well as educates them about basic self defense principles.

Nationwide, more than 250,000 women have taken RAD training.   RAD is one of the country's most popular self defense training classes for women.

If you want to learn more, or sign up for the next RAD class,  send an Email to RAD@greenvillenc.gov

A few good men and women...

Our Citizens On Patrol program (COP) is looking for some additional volunteers.  This is a great way for someone to contribute something meaningful to our community, serve as a deterrent to crime, even patrol your own neighborhood, and have fun.

Our COP volunteers conduct vacation house checks,  assist patrol officers with traffic control, enforce handicapped parking laws, and patrol neighborhoods.  They operate a Greenville Patrol car especially marked and lighted as "Citizens On Patrol," and they are worth their weight in gold for their contributions to the Department and to the community.

The volunteer hours are always flexible.  If you think you'd be interested in learning more about Citizens On Patrol,  contact Lt. Richard Allsbrook or Corporal Chris Viverette in the Code Enforcement Office at the Police Department.   They can be reached at 329-4364.

All it takes is a small level of commitment and interest in service to your community.  You can obtain an application form from Chris or Richard, complete that, and following a background check, you too can be a Greenville Police Department COP.

Come join a few good men and women....We need you. 

A tangled web...

Case # 2012- 73064:  At around 10:37 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13 Greenville Police Officers responded to a report of a daytime home invasion and robbery at 304-B White Street.  As officers arrived on scene, they noticed Marshall Scott Tyson leaving the house through the back door.  Officers were curious as to why Mr. Tyson was in a hurry to leave, so he was detained and it was later determined that he is a resident of the home.  Mr. Tyson was also found holding an amount of marijuana packaged in 6 small baggies.  

Mr. Tyson and another resident, Ms. Tasheika Boyd, told police officers they were at home minding their own business when three men, two armed with shotguns, forced their way into the house and robbed them.  

Mr. Tyson was interviewed and eventually to the police that the robbery began as a drug deal for the sale of an ounce of marijuana.  The three men had been at the residence earlier and negotiated a price for 1 ounce of marijuana.  They then left, supposedly to get the money for their purchase.  

When the three men returned, they rushed in to the house when the door opened, and robbed Mr. Tyson and Ms. Boyd.  

Mr. Marshall S. Tyson was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver (PWISD) Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He received a $5000 unsecured bond.  Arrest Warrants were obtained for one of the three robbers, Mr. Tevin Knight for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony B&E.  The investigation into the identity of the other two men is still ongoing.  

Here is an excellent example of not-so-innocent victims using up community resources and  bringing danger to our community...creating a tangled web.

Knocking and talking...

The question was recently asked, "Why did the police come knock on the door to my apartment for no reason and ask me about selling drugs?"

It is a fact of life that when people sell drugs, their customers will often tell the police about that.  There are very few people who can keep a secret.  Actually, we police officers depend a great deal on people who are willing to talk about about crimes being committed by other people.

So in answer to the question posed above about why the police came to the apartment, somebody, either a so-called friend or a drug-buying customer or another person with knowledge of what is going on, called the police and told about the person selling drugs.

A good police officer is an inquisitive person.  The officer will follow up on what has been reported by knocking on that front door and simply asking questions, talking to whomever answers the door.  Quite often, that conversation will develop additional information to cause the police officer to investigate further, leading to the arrest of a drug seller, seizure of illegal drugs, and so forth.

It is, after all, what the taxpayers are paying police officers to do. 

Pestilence...

On Monday November 5, 2012, The Greenville Regional Drug Task Force concluded a long-term investigation into drug and weapons violations in Greenville and Pitt County.  This investigation culminated in the arrest of three high-ranking United Blood Nation (UBN) gang members from the Greenville area. 

The investigation lasted over 5 months and found the suspects in these cases were buying and selling stolen weapons,  selling and buying drugs and supplying other street level drug dealers, and conspiring to commit other violent crimes.

Multiple agencies participated in the investigation, including agents from the ATF, DEA, US Marshals, the Gang Unit of the Greenville Police Department, and patrol elements from both the Greenville Police Department and Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

The following offenders have been arrested:

Ernest Joshon Wright, 26 years old, of Greenville was arrested at 891 Fleming School Rd.  He was charged with 6 counts of Possession of Firearm by Felon, 3 counts of Sell or Deliver marijuana, 2 counts of Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver marijuana, Possession with intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule 1 controlled substance, and Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance.  Wright was jailed under a $1,000,000.00 bond.

Wright has at least 34 prior arrests for crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon, various drug violations, armed robbery,  assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by felon.

Chicobe Antrell Williams, 28 years old, of Greenville was arrested at 1130 Teakwood Dr. in Greenville.  He was charged with 7 counts of Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, 7 counts of Sell or Deliver cocaine, and 3 counts of Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine.  At the time of his arrest he was in possession of 28 grams of Crack Cocaine.  He was also jailed under a $1,000,000.00 bond.

Williams has at least 39 prior arrests for such crimes as assault inflicting serious injury, possession of cocaine, conspiracy to sell cocaine, breaking & entering, and assault on a female.

Robert Lee Hopkins, 29 years old, of Greenville was arrested near the intersection of 14^th St. and Myrtle Ave.  He was charged with 11 counts of Possession with intent to Sell or Deliver cocaine, 9 counts Maintaining a Vehicle or Dwelling for a Controlled Substance, and 11 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Hopkins was jailed under a $650,000.00 bond. 

Hopkins has at least 25 prior arrests for various crimes including assault on a female, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, kidnapping, and larceny.

These arrests highlighted the cooperation of multiple agencies in order to get dangerous drugs, weapons and offenders off the street.

The investigation continues and additional arrests may occur as the case moves forward.

Members of the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force include the Greenville Police Department, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Farmville Police Department. 

A life of service...

Retired GPD Captain Mr. Jimmie B. Cannon, 83, passed away Monday, October 29, 2012.   

Mr. Cannon, was a native of Stokes, NC, and lived most of his adult life in Greenville, NC. 

He worked for the City of Greenville Police Department and was Assistant Chief when he accepted employment with N.C. State Probation/Parole. He was supervisor when he retired in 1983.   

He was a graduate of Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville Kentucky and ECU Correctional Administration. He was awarded the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” by Governor Jim Hunt in 1983. A member of Trinity Free Will Baptist Church, Mr. Cannon served as Deacon and on various committees.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Roy and Lillian Jones Cannon; and brother, Edward Glenn Cannon.   

His brother Glenn Cannon was also the retired Chief of the Greenville Police Department.

He is survived by his: 

wife of 62 years, Peggy Ross Cannon;  

daughters, Becky C. Alexander and husband, Mike and 

Deborah C. Lilley, all of Greenville, NC; 

grandchildren, Will Denton and wife, Emily, Kelli Denton Conklin and her husband, Carlryan, 

Thomas Denton, Jr., and Caroline Lilley.   

great-grandchild, Jordan Denton;  

sister, Pauline Harrell, of Greenville; and 

brother in-law, Kenneth Ross, of Farmville.  

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Free Will Baptist Church, 100 Golden Rd., Greenville, NC or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Granddaughter Kelli's husband Carlryan Conklin is currently a Greenville Police Officer.

30 Halloweens...

Interim Chief Joe A. Bartlett is retiring today.  30 years of police work is a long time.  

Chief Bartlett,  or "Jab" as friends know him, was born and raised in Goldsboro.  He graduated from East Carolina and received his Master of Public Administration from ECU.   He started working at the Greenville Police Department shortly after graduation in 1985. 

He has been a dispatcher, patrol officer, Policy Researcher, Vice & Narcotics Supervisor, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Administration Bureau Commander, Patrol Bureau Commander, Investigations Bureau Commander, Deputy Chief of Police, and Interim Chief of Police.  He is also a graduate of the 182nd session of the FBI National Academy.  It is a very rare process for an officer in law enforcement today to move up through the ranks to become Police Chief, especially in a department as large as Greenville PD.

Chief Bartlett knows the history of this City and its Police Department.  He has seen the Department grow 
from a small town police force to a modern law enforcement agency, recognized state-wide as one of the best.   

He has seen the evolution of the Greenville Police Department go from typewriters and carbon paper, to computers and wireless technology; from blue steel revolvers to polymer and steel semi-automatics.   He was part of the growth of the department from fewer than 75 police offers to over 187 police officers now. 

Throughout his time at the Greenville Police Department, Chief Bartlett has sought to maintain a professional approach to his career.  He has been firm when necessary, and fair at all times. He is a strategic thinker, and he has always put the interests of the Department and its success above his own self interests.

Chief Bartlett enjoys fishing. He has traveled to Montana on many fishing trips, and plans to go fishing in Alaska after he retires.

Jab has been a leader and supervisor.  He has been a manager and a counselor.  He has been a mentor.  He has been a friend.

Jab, you will be missed.

No tricks..

As Halloween nears, the Greenville Police Department offers the following safety tips for making the evening safe and enjoyable for everyone: 

For Parents and Trick- or-Treaters:

• Halloween costumes should be made of fire retardant material and the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.

• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you.  Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

• Before allowing your children to eat any of the treats, examine them to be sure they are safe to eat.

Drivers should be on the alert for children who may dart out into traffic.  Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injury types to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:

• Carry a cell phone, stay with a group, and communicate where they will be going.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Only cross the street at established crosswalks and don't assume the right of way.  Drivers may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters.

As a reminder, the City’s curfew law remains in effect for Halloween.   Young people under the age of 16 should not be on the streets without adult supervision after 11:00 p.m.  And, as always, call the Greenville Police Department immediately when you suspect crimes or see suspicious activity.

No retirement plan...

On Thursday October 25, at about 3:49 a.m., Greenville Police officers responded to a commercial alarm at the Rite Aid drugstore on Charles Blvd near Fourteenth Street.

A police dog began to track the suspect from the drug store west toward Evans Street and across Evans to Glen Arthur Street, where police had 70-year-old Richard Taylor detained for a field interview.  Officers had seen Taylor as he crossed Evans Street just moments before.

Further investigation by the patrol officers found surveillance videos inside the store confirmed Taylor broke into the drug store. 

Taylor was arrested and jailed under a $15,000 secured bond at the Pitt County Detention Center.  He is charged with one count of felony breaking & entering.

The case remains under investigation.  Additional charges may be brought.  There was no information available as to what was stolen.

Detective work....

Acting on information received from Pitt Greenville CrimeStoppers, detectives from the Greenville Police Department Property Crimes Unit have identified and arrested Richard Taft in reference to a series of apartment burglaries that took place over the past month.   These burglaries occurred along the Firetower Road corridor, on Wimbledon Drive,  Dudley’s Grant, and Firetower Road.   An additional burglary took place on Merry Lane.

Detectives believe that Taft broke in to the apartments during the daylight hours while the residents were at work.  He is believed to have stolen televisions, computers, and other electronics, jewelry, and shoes from at least six apartments.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants against Taft on October 22, 2012.  He was arrested without incident and is charged with the following:

• 4 counts of felony breaking & entering
• 2 counts of attempted felony breaking & entering
• 3 counts of larceny after breaking & entering

Detectives continue to follow up on other cases and additional arrests and charges against Taft may take place.

Taft was jailed under a $45,000 secured bond.

Radio and Telephone communications...

In response to requests from the news media, the Greenville Police Department has retrieved radio and telephone communications from October 17, 2012 regarding the shooting and murder of Benjamin Shields III.  These recordings are part of the public record, and media representatives often request such recordings.    

You can listen to these recordings by following the available web link to Youtube.

Here is the web link to radio and telephone traffic:  Police Communications: Homicide

It is important to remember these recordings are not always in sequential order because different radio channels are being used simultaneously and people are often talking at the the same time on the different frequencies.   Nevertheless, these recordings will provide you with a general understanding of the various events that occur in these situations.

This week at the GPD...

On Thursday October 18, Greenville Police Detectives were called to the scene of a suspicious fire, which had been extinguished prior to police arrival.  

During the overnight hours unknown suspect(s) appear to have used a glass container filled with an unknown flammable liquid to attempt to burn a storage building.  Minimal damage to the building was done.  Smoke damage and melted siding accounts for damage to the exterior of the building. There was no damage to any portion of the building interior.

The Greenville Fire-Rescue Department Fire Marshal also responded and both agencies are cooperatively investigating the incident. Physical evidence was collected at the scene.  There is no suspect information available.  

The case investigation continues.

At about 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday October 16,  Officer Matt Pipken responded to the report of a driver passed out behind the wheel in the travel lane at Evans Street near Greenville Blvd.   When the officer got to the scene, he found a driver asleep and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road.    

Officer Pipken was able to wake up the driver who, once alert, told the officer, "I have a lot of weed, can you help me out?"    Officer Pipken was able to provide overnight lodging for the man.    Seized was 59 grams of marijuana, packaged for resell, along with $1265 cash.