Congratulations to the 99th Academy!

The RPD's 99th Academy graduation ceremony was held today at the Fletcher Theater of the Progress Energy Center in downtown Raleigh.  The ceremony marked the end of academy training for 21 new officers. 

Be Safe this Halloween

Have a fun and safe Halloween! Follow these safety tips.

• Wear light colored clothing or reflective tape so you can easily be seen.
• Make sure your costume fits well.
• Wear face make-up instead of a mask.
• Go trick-or-treating with friends. It is more fun and safer too!
• Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods.
• Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Trick-or-treat during daylight. Carry a flashlight in case it gets dark.
• Look both ways before crossing the street and always use crosswalks.
• Visit homes with porch lights on.
• When trick-or-treating with friends, tell mom and dad your route.
• Bring your treats home and do not eat anything until your parents have checked it.
• If any treats look suspicious, have your parents call the police.

Save the Date: RPD Promotion Ceremony

At 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, the Raleigh Police Department will conduct the largest promotional ceremony in the department's history.  The department will promote one captain, 21 lieutenants, 49 sergeants and 40 detectives. The ceremony will be held in the Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center. Please make plans now to join us for this historic event!

Update: Arrest Made in Bank Robberies

Lee Bennett Pope III, 37, was taken into custody last night by members of the Raleigh Police Department’s Fugitive Unit with assistance from members of the Durham Police Department. When taken into custody, Pope was in a stationary motor vehicle located at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and W. Lynch Street in Durham. He was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant. Upon his arrest, RPD detectives assumed custody of Pope, who was then transported to Raleigh.

Law enforcement officials in other jurisdictions that could have cases related to a recent pattern of bank robberies were notified of the arrest and of Pope’s investigative detention by RPD. He was later transported to the Wake County Jail and was charged with five counts of common law robbery related to bank robbery cases in RPD’s jurisdiction.

Tips from the public stemming from news media coverage of the recent bank robbery cases played an important role in identifying Pope as a potential suspect in the robberies. Follow-up investigative work by detectives and other elements of law enforcement led to determining his location and to the development of the probable cause required to obtain arrest warrants charging him with the robberies mentioned above.

The investigation of the Raleigh cases continues, and anyone with information that might assist detectives is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP.

Chief Dolan Issues Update on Maitland Drive Incident

“The suspect in yesterday’s officer-involved shooting incident on Maitland Drive is Emmerli Latrice Wilcoxson (DOB 8/20/73). She is not from the Raleigh area, and preliminary investigation of the case indicates she arrived here Wednesday. Her most recent residences appear to have been in communities in Clayton County, Georgia.

“The Raleigh Police Department personnel present during the incident were:
•    Officer C. Matthews II, who was employed by the RPD on Feb. 16, 2009, and is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division’s Northeast District;
•    Officer P.D. Matthews, who was employed by the RPD on Feb. 23, 2009, and is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division’s Northeast District; and,
•    Officer D.C. Painter, who was employed by the RPD on Nov. 20, 2006, and is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division’s Northeast District.

“The investigations of the incident continue. Information gathered to date indicates that when the first officer made initial contact with the suspect, the suspect made a strongly and clearly worded statement threatening to kill the officer. The suspect then quickly reached towards the lower portion of her garment and immediately charged at the officer. The officer ordered the suspect to stop before firing multiple shots as the suspect continued to charge.”

Statement Made by Chief Harry Dolan Regarding Maitland Drive Incident

At approximately 4:20 a.m. today, Raleigh Police Department officers were dispatched to the 3500 block Maitland Drive concerning a female who was creating a disturbance in the vicinity of a motel there.

Three officers who were nearby at the time of the dispatch responded to the location and each of them arrived at approximately the same time.

The officers were confronted by a female subject standing in the street. The female was yelling and appeared to be highly disturbed.

As the first officer began to approach the subject, she made statements and gestures threatening the life of the officer, which were immediately followed by her charging directly at the officer.

Multiple shots were fired by officers and the suspect was struck. None of the officers were injured.

A request was made for EMS, and additional RPD units responded to the scene. First aid was administered by officers on the scene. A perimeter was established to secure the integrity of the crime scene. A weapon was not located following the incident.

When EMS arrived, their personnel took over the medical response to the suspect and transported her to WakeMed, where she is currently listed in critical condition. The identity of the suspect is being withheld until next-of-kin notification can be made.

The preliminary investigation of the case has determined that the suspect checked into the motel late last night. At the time, she was accompanied by an infant. Following the incident that child was located in the suspect’s room and appeared to be in good condition. RPD personnel made contact with Social Services, which took custody of the child.

Pursuant to departmental policy, the State Bureau of Investigation was contacted to investigate the officer-involved shooting. The SBI’s investigation will be reviewed by the Wake County District Attorney.

The Raleigh Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative investigation into the incident. In accordance with departmental policy, the officers involved in the incident will be placed on administrative duty.

Both the SBI’s investigation and the Internal Affairs Investigation remain underway.

Serial Bank Robber Appears to Have Struck Again in Raleigh

The suspect is described as standing about 5 feet 7 inches tall and having a medium-to-heavy build. In addition to the striped shirt and tan cap, which are readily apparent in the photo, he appears to be wearing women’s sunglasses with large lenses.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. today, a black male suspect entered the First Citizens bank at 1200 Ridge Rd. Based upon what detectives have learned thus far in the investigation of the case, they consider it likely that the crime was committed by the suspect who has been responsible for other recent bank robberies in the area.

Anyone with information that might assist the investigation of the case is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP or the RPD’s Detective Division at (919) 996-3555. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solved cases.

Tune in and Learn More about the RPD

Want to learn more about the different units of the RPD?  Tune in live to Behind the Badge with Chief Harry Dolan on Shaw University's radio station, WSHA 88.9.  

Every second Monday of the month at 12 noon, Chief Dolan and his guests talk to a moderator about current events and take questions from callers. This month's program featured Sgt. Barnett of the K9 Unit and Sgt. Amstutz of the Selective Enforcement Unit. If you weren't able to tune in to the live broadcast, you will have the chance to listen on the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m.

The next live broadcast will be Monday, November 8.

Deaths May be Linked to Misuse of Mephedrone

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 2, Raleigh Police Department officers and detectives responded to an apartment complex at 817 Hillsborough St. where two deceased individuals were located on a second-story fire escape landing. The deceased individuals were identified as Ray Allan Ausbon, 21, and Zachary Martin Tigner, 19. There were no apparent signs of foul play at the scene, and the subsequent investigation of the case has not developed evidence that foul play was involved in the deaths.

While autopsy findings remain pending, the preliminary investigation of the case indicates the deaths may have been related to a substance identified as Mephedrone. The substance, which is marketed for use as a plant food, is not intended for human consumption, but it has been known to be used in that manner. Common street names for the Mephedrone include drone, meow-meow, bubbles, and bounce. Additional information about the substance may be found at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/mephedrone.htm.

The Raleigh Police Department strongly cautions against the inappropriate use of Mephedrone and any other substance which may be harmful to persons taking it.

Update: Arrest Made in Assault on Hillsborough Street

Raleigh Police have arrested a suspect Monday in the assault of a man outside a Hillsborough Street bar on September 30.  

Charles Zachary Poll, 25, of Raleigh is charged with assault inflicting serious injury for an attack on Evan Benjamin Lawrence, 23.

Poll was taken into custody without incident and has been transported to the Wake County Jail. Tips from the public stemming from media coverage of the case were instrumental in identifying Poll as a suspect.

RPD Looking for Serial Bank Robber

RPD is looking for a serial bank robber who has hit several area banks during the past few weeks.  The latest robbery happened at about 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 2 at a SunTrust Bank inside a Kroger store at 7905 Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh.

The serial bank robber has hit several area banks in the past few weeks.

The same man is suspected of robbing five other banks in Raleigh and Durham. In four of the cases, the robber used a note to demand money.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 30s to 40s, about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a stocky build and dark complexion. He has a beard and mustache. In Saturday's robbery, he was wearing a dark blue, plaid shirt, blue jeans, white tennis shoes, a black hat with a white or silver logo, and large-framed sunglasses.

In addition to Saturday's robbery, the man is suspected to have committed robberies at:

• SunTrust Bank at 1231 University Drive in Durham on Sept. 24
• SunTrust Bank inside a Harris Teeter, at 1817 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in Durham on Sept. 25
• Wood Forest bank inside a Walmart at 10500 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh on Sept. 26
• SunTrust Bank at 3421 N. Roxboro Road in Durham on Sept. 28
• SunTrust bank inside a Kroger store at 8345 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh on Sept. 29

Anyone with information that might assist the investigation of the cases is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP. CrimeStoppers pays rewards for tips that help solve cases.

Request for Assistance - Victim Seriously Injured, Detectives Trying to Locate Witnesses

During the early morning hours of September 30, a male victim, Evan Benjamin Lawrence, 23, walked from the Jackpot Bar at 1303 Hillsborough Street. A short time later, it is believed that the victim was involved in an altercation with an unknown suspect or suspects. The victim received injuries that were potentially life-threatening.

A witness reported seeing two unknown females and one unknown male who appeared to be providing aid to the victim. It is believed these three individuals may have witnessed the events that led to the victim’s injuries. Detectives are attempting to identify these witnesses and need to speak with them about the case.

The victim was transported to Rex Hospital by a privately owned vehicle and remains hospitalized there.

Anyone with information that might assist the investigation of the case is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP or the Raleigh Police Department’s Detective Division at (919) 996-3555. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve cases.