Public Safety

Complaints about drug activity in Whiteville, including near Central Middle School, led to eight arrests by the sheriff’s office. Beginning in July, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit initiated an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics substances in the Whiteville community of Columbus County. During the investigation, three search warrants were executed, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals. One suspect was also captured in a...

A convicted child molester was found dead in his dormitory at Columbus Correctional this morning (Wednesday). Bruce Pratt, 42, was found unresponsive at 4:54 a.m., according to John Bull, spokesman for the Dept. of Public Safety. “Staff promptly began life saving measures, including CPR, and called EMS,” Bull said. “He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6 a.m.” A medical condition is...

The quick response of a deputy resulted in the arrest of a Kelly man on fuel theft charges Friday. Allen Robinson, 44, was held under $7,500 secured bond on charges of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, no operator’s license, and traffic offenses. His address was listed as 19306 N.C. 53 E., Kelly. The sheriff’s office reported that on Aug. 16, someone took around 100 gallons...