The suspect in a Wrightsville Beach sexual assault was arrested at Lake Waccamaw Monday.
Walter Bennett Craven, 56, of 108 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Waccamaw, was charged with one count each of first degree forced sex offense and indecent liberties with a child. His bond was set at $35,000.
Det. Trevor Greene of the Wrightsville Beach Police said in a press release that authorities were contacted in April about an alleged sexual assault against a child that occurred in July 2017.
“After roughly three months of investigation, and in regular consultation with the Office of the District Attorney, the decision was made to seek charges against the suspect,” Greene reported.
Warrants were drawn in New Hanover County on Friday, and New Hanover Deputies attempted to take Craven into custody. He could not be located at Wrightsville Beach.
“After further investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had possibly gone to the Lake Waccamaw area,” the release said. WBPD then contacted the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. Lake Waccamaw Police and the CCSO took Craven into custody without incident.
“We would like to thank all assisting agencies for helping the Wrightsville Beach Police Department take Walter Craven into custody,” the release said.
An earlier version of this story contained the wrong address. That information has been corrected.
