Beaufort County Crime Stoppers
Call 919/974-6400 or Cellular #6400
If you can help Beaufort County Crime Stoppers solve these crimes.
( You do not have to give your name.)
July 6, 1998
The Washington Police Department is looking for the armed robber who held up the Petro Mart at 1121 John Small Avenue on June 28. The robber, wearing a medium-blue ski mask, entered the store shortly before 11 p.m. and pointed a handgun at store owner Omar Habboush.
The robber demanded that Habboush give him money. Habboush took the paper money from the cash register and gave it to the robber, who then demanded Habboush hand over the money in his pants pockets. The suspect told habboush to lie on the floor. As the suspect left, Habboush reported hearing him say "Let's go." Habboush did not hear or see a possible get-away vehicle. Habboush told police he believes a vehicle was on the east side of the store, out of view.
The suspect is described as being a black man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 170 pounds and having a medium complexion. He was wearing blue jeans, a brown, long-sleeve, button-up shirt and brown gloves. The robber got away with about $1000.
June 7, 1998
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Department is looking for two white males in their mid-20s who were seen leaving a mobile home with furnishings and loading them into a truck.
This breaking, entering and larceny was witnessed May 31 at Unique Homes on U.S. 264 west of Washington, said Sheriff's Department Deputy Mike Sawyer.
The witness said the men were driving an older model Ford pick-up truck, possibly a late 1970s or early 1980s model, that was dark blue and white. The truck had a tool box on the back. The witness saw the truck parked on the shoulder of Leggett Road behind Unique Homes, with its emergency flashers turned on.
Sheriff's Department Investigator Dearl Roughton said about $400 in furnishings were missing from the mobile home.
Items missing included a table, place mats, napkins, a plate, a picture, a flower arrangement, a figurine and two lamps.
March 29, 1998
Washington Police Dept. is looking for a black around 6-feet tall in his late 30s who passed one $100 counterfeit traveler's check at each of four Washington businesses on Monday and Tuesday. Witnesses describe him as having a slim build and short black hair, with brown eyes and a moustache and wearing glasses. The suspect identified himself as Linwood Barnhill on each check. His address was recorded during identification at each store as Unit 20, Lot 1, Shady Knolls, Greenville. Each check bore the same number, 34514360, and each was an American Express Travelers'Check. Three of the checks were passed on Monday and the other was passed on Tuesday. The false checks were taken at Makin'Tracks on West Fifth Street, Makin'Tracks on East Fifth Street, Bridge Street 66 Station and Mom's Grill.
March 18, 1998
Crime Stoppers is looking for the man who robbed Southern Bank in Aurora on Tuesday. The suspect in the crime is a black male in his early to middle 20s who was armed with a dark-colored, semi-automatic handgun. He was described as standing from 5 feet, 6 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing from 175 to 200 pounds. Witnesses said he was wearing a white toboggan and a red coat. They said he had a ponytail. The suspect was seen leaving Aurora on N.C. Highway 33 traveling west in a white, older model, full-size car.
Feb. 10, 1998
The Chocowinity Police Department is looking for whoever broke into Cliff's Seafood,opened a safe belonging to the restaurant, and took $1,057 in cash from it. Chocowinity Police Chief Todd Alligood said the breaking and entering and larceny happened sometime between 8:50 p.m. Feb.4 and 8:18 a.m. Feb. 5. He said a jimmy-type pry tool or device was used to enter the business on U>S> Highway 17 South in Chocowinity. Alligood said some one entered the rear door of the business, removed a safe from the front desk and took it to the back room. From there, he said, the suspect removed the pins from the safe door and removed the money from the safe. No fingerprints were found, Alligood said. However, he said a boot print was found on the safe door..
Feb. 10, 1998
Crime Stoppers is looking for whoever stole a television from a boat at McCotter's Marina around 12:30 a.m. Feb. 1. Suspects in the break-in are two white males who were driving a dark, older model, full-sized pickup truck with loud mufflers.
Feb. 1, 1998
The Washington Police Dept. thinks five breaking-and entering crimes, and the larceny associated with each break-in are related.
On Jan. 2, the dental office of Dr. Zeno L. Edwards III reported it was broken into sometime within the past two days and a $300 cordless telephone was stolen
and the rear door sustained $600 in damages from being kicked in. In addition, the Police Dept. said there was an attempted safe cracking in this incident.
On Jan. 16, the medical office of Dr. Donald C. Johnson at 1211 Highland Drive in Washington reported it had been entered within the last few hours. Items missing included $789 in cash, a $700 Sentry safe and a $300 aspiration tip.
Also on on Jan 16, Life, Inc. a health-car office at 1502 N.Market St., Washington, reported someone broke into it sometime in the preceding few hours and stole $250 in cash.
In another breaking and entering and larceny reported on Jan. 16, the dental office of Dr. Frederick Howdy Sr. at 1103 Brown St., Washington, was entered sometime during the previous few hours. Missing was $2000 in cash, a $1000 safe and a $100 safe with the door taken off.In
addition, the office sustained $50 in damages to the front and back doors.
In the last of the related crimes, and the fourth crime of the five reported on Jan. 16, the medical office of Dr. Toby R. Alligood at 601 E. 11th St., Washington, said that during the past few hours someone broke into the office by prying open the door. The Police Dept. said $150 in cash was taken and damages to the rear steel door were $200.
Jan. 8, 1998
Washington Police Dept. is looking for suspects in the Jan. 8 breaking and entering of a Washington lawyer's office and larceny of approximately $6,725 in office equipment and personal items. It appears the suspects pried open a window, went inside and took the items. Detectives think the crime happened between 5:45 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8.
Items stolen include a Sharp laptop computer, a Valtec Victory Pro System computer, a Pentium Acer 100 computer, a Prinston Graphics monitor, a Quick Books Disk Pro Version for Windows, an HP Colorado T-3000 tape, a dome quartz mantel colock, a Kingston PCMIA Ethernet adapter and a black soft briefcase and duffle bags. Incident location: Seth H. Edwards, P.A., 317 W. Second St., Washington,NC.
Dec. 7, 1997
The Chocowinity Police Dept. is looking for the person who attempted to rob Chocowinity Convenient Mart on Monday. The store is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and NC Highway 33 in Chocowinity. Around 12:30 p.m., the suspect told the store clerk he had a 9 mm handgun and wanted the cash drawer open. Beaufort County Sheriff's Dept. said the suspect was a black, clean-cut male with a light complexion from 6 feet to 6' 2" tall, and weighing about 190 pounds. After the clerk did not open the cash drawer, the suspect tried to open it. He was never successful and ended up fleeing the scene without taking anything from the store. The suspect has not been reported seen since. There were no other people in the store at the time of the crime.
Nov. 23, 1997
Washington Police Dept. is looking for information about a breaking , entering and larceny at Washington High School either sometime late on Nov. 3 or early on Nov. 4. At about 6:40 a.m. on Nov. 4, School Resource Police Officer David A. Curtis came to his office at the school campus and found his office broken into and ransacked.
He listed several items missing, including a Sony camera ($2300), a camera lens ($800), a Sony microcamera ($280), a Pelican case ($200), two pairs of handcuffs ($40), and a compact disc ($15). Damages to the office included broken double-paned insulated windows ($500) and flower pot ($20). This room was the only one in the high school that was ransacked. In addition to Crime Stoppers offering up to $1000 for information on this incident, the high school has added $100 to the Crime Stoppers reward.
Nov. 16, 1997
Crime Stoppers want any information about three arsons in the last two months on McCotter's Marina Road in Beaufort County, about seven miles east of Washington off River Road.
Two of the fires occurred in unoccupied dwellings and the houses burned to the ground. However, one fire was set at a house with a family inside. Without quick attention, the Sheriff's Dept. said lives would have been threatened by fire .
Nov. 9, 1997
The Washington Police Dept. is looking for whoever participated in the Nov. 2, breaking and entering of Pamlico Technical Molding, Inc. at 209 Creekside Dr. in Washington. In addition, a larceny occurred in the crime that involved the theft of $11,250 in Merchandise, including a computer ($5000), a roll-up metal door ($4,000), two metal doors ($1000), 10 blenders ($500), a typewriter ($300), two wood doors ($300), an adding machine ($100) and a push cart ($50).
Oct. 20, 1997
Crime Stoppers is looking for the person who shot Matthew Gibbs, 69, at about 9:30 p.m. Oct.9 in the yard of his home, 604 Gladden St., Washington. Gibbs said someone jumped from behind a garbage can in his yard and shot him. Two bags containing $800 in quarters were taken.
From information taken by the Police Department, it labeled Maurice Branch, 17, of 214 Highland Drive, Washington, as a suspect in the case. Branch is a black male, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, and weighing 115 pounds with brown eyes.
Oct. 6, 1997
Crime Stoppers needs information on the breaking and entering of Old Ford Church of Christ sometime between 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Tuesday and the larceny of from $70 to $80 from the secretary's office
Sept. 29, 1997
A 1995 Honda 300 solid-red four-wheel motorcycle (valued at $6300) was stolen sometime between 5 p.m. Sept.20 and 7 a.m. Sept. 22, from 1334 Gilead Shores Road, Blounts Creek said owner Michael Schwartz. A neighbor said a four-wheel drive truck and a four-wheel motorcycle were seen speeding down Gilead Shores Road between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Sept 21.
The stolen motorcycle is a sport-type racing model, with some modification. The exhaust system is customized, different primary and rear sprockets have been attached, and non-factory-type tires are on the rear. There is a sticker missing on the fuel tank that reads "300 EX."
Sept. 22, 1997
In the last 4 months there have been 4 arson fires in the River Road area east of Washington.
Three of the fires involved houses and one was a woods fire. One of the houses was occupied and two were abandoned.
Sept. 16, 1997
On Sept. 11, Memorial Free Will Baptist Church, 2920 Gray Road, Chocowinity, was unlawfully entered after someone pried open the back door. Discovered missing was about $600 in goods, including a $300 microwave oven, a $200 color television and a $90 VCR.
Aug. 31, 1997
The Sherriff's Department is looking for anyone responsible for the Aug. 16 breaking, entering and larceny at 1841 Carolina Ave., Washington.
Entry to the residence was made by breaking open the front door of the residence. Items stolen were a .25 caliber Browning semi-automatic pistol (chrome with pearl grips), a 9-shot .22-caliber High Standard chrome revolver and a .38-caliber, six-shot blue steel Smith and Wesson revolver.
Aug. 31, 1997
The Washington Police Department is searching for clues in a hit-and-run accident that injured a 5-year-old boy.
Witnesses told police that at 8:18 p.m. Aug. 22, a tan or white Toyota Corolla, which was headed north on Bonner Street, struck the boy as he sat on the curb on Bonner Street between East 13th and 14th streets.
The vehicle turned east on 15th Street, the witnesses said.
The boy was treated for a broken leg at Beaufort County Hospital.
Aug. 25, 1997
Between July 16 and July 31, two portable welding machines worth about $8,000 each were taken from a fenced storage area at PCS Phosphate in Aurora.
These machines are owned by CMF Inc. and T.L. James and Company. These companies are private contractors working at PCS Phosphate.
The machines were taken after the chain securing the gate was removed with a cutting torch. After the machines were removed from the secured area, they were taken through the back gate at PCS Phosphate. Both welding machines were on trailers and were Miller brand Big Blue models.
Aug. 18, 1997
Two black men in black clothing robbed D and J Video on New Year's Eve. With stockings over their heads and faces, they held up the clerk with a knife around 5 p.m. Dec. 31, 1996. The men took $540 from the cash register.
Aug. 11, 1997
Washington Police Department is looking for a black man with a large build and a dark complexion. He has no facial hair and his hair is cut short. The suspect is from 6 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 2 inches tall.
The suspect is known to be passing checks drawn on Pactolus Lumber Company. However, the same person is suspected to be passing checks drawn on C.X. James and Son.
August 4, 1997
The body of Rene A. Martinez, 27, was found with numerous gunshots near a 1973 Chevrolet pick-up truck on Market St. Extension in the Old Ford community. Investigators believe Martinez was shot shortly before 9 p.m.
A search of the truck and a home where Martinez was living indicates the killing may be drug related. Deputies found controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in both locations.
Deputies are searching for a tan or beige Nova vehicle that sits low in the rear. Martinez was not likely a resident of NC and probably drove the truck to the area where he died.
August 3, 1997
The Washington Police Department reported a suspicious fire in May that destroyed Moore's Honda on West Fifth Street in Washington.
Officer G. J. Seighman discovered the fire at approximately 2:15 a.m. May 11. He said he saw lights in the northwest corner of the business near the Harrington Street side.
The closest hydrant to the building, Seighman said, seemed to have been tampered with. It had to be turned on with a pipe wrench because the top post had apparently been stripped so a hydrant wrench could not be used.
A suspicious car was observed by Officer Seighman during the early stages of the fire. A small, white, four-door passenger car that started to pull into the Moore's Honda driveway changed its course, he said, when he was observed, and continued to move west on Fifth Street instead. The vehicle appeared to be a late 1970s or early 1980s model Toyota or Nissan.
Some conversation with informants have suggested possible leads to the Police Dept.
July 27, 1997
With each criminal brandishing a handgun, three black males in their 20s robbed William Donald Smith on April 6 at Smith Food Pride in Chocowinity, Chocowinity Police Chief Todd Alligood reported.
More than $5,300 in cash and coins and more than $15,000 in checks were taken.
At approximately 10 p.m. April 6, Smith told police that he left the grocery store building to move his truck.
After a man approached him with a handgun, he put his hands up at the robber's command. The suspect said he would shoot him if he did not put his hands in the air.
Two other men grabbed his arms and forced him into the store, Smith said.
While Smith was being held by the two suspects, the other robber took money from office file cabinets.
One of the men holding Smith took Smith's handgun and money from his wallet.
Before fleeing the scene, Smith said, one of the suspects struck him from behind. The three suspects fled from the east side of the store.
May 27, 1997
Washington Yacht and Country Club has been hit twice in the last three months by vandals who terrorized its golf course and damaged many golf carts after the carts were hot-wired, said Beaufort County Sheriff's Dept. Investigator Matt Sopher.
Windshields were kicked in, putting greens were damaged, some carts were found submerged in nearby ponds, other carts were found in ditches, and axles were broken on some carts, he said. "It looked like they played bumper cars with the carts."
After vandalism on March 23, about $25,000 in damages were incurred by the golf course. And, after a May 25 visit by trespassers, Sopher said approximately $50,000 in damages were added.
Beaufort Couny Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1000 for information about:
Any Serious Crime
The location of stolen property.
The location of wanted persons.
The location of illegal Drugs.
Crime Stoppers is co-sponsored by Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and Beaufort County Sheriff's Department.
This page last updated: July 6, 1998
© Diane Mason 1997,1998,2000,2001 - this is a free service.
