Counterfeit Paychecks | January 19, 2009
Authorities in six counties believe that a man has continued to pose as a Waste Management worker and is cashing counterfeit paychecks at predominantly small-town businesses.  Read more here.

Stolen Storm Drain Covers | May 17, 2008
The Clayton Police Department is investigating several reports of larcenies where unknown individuals are stealing storm drain covers from various locations around the town.  Below is a picture of a similar type drain cover. Read more here.

UPDATE -- Recent Thefts from Unlocked Cars | April 29, 2008
The Clayton Police Department has charged a fifth suspect with multiple counts of entering unlocked cars and thefts of items found inside the cars. Colton Alan Jones (17) of 3702 Lizzie Mill Road in Selma, has been arrested on warrants obtained by Detective J.G. Barnes that charge him with 13 counts of felonious breaking and/or entering vehicles, and 9 counts of larceny.  Jones was arrested by Det. Barnes this morning and was jailed in lieu of $144,000 secured bond.  All of these offenses are previously reported cases for which four others have also been arrested.  The investigation tends to indicate that Jones acted in concert with the others that have been arrested earlier. Read more here.

Armed Robbery | December 28, 2007
At approximately 9:04 pm Friday (12-28-07), Clayton Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at “”La Nueva Frontera” located at 10499 US Hwy 70 West. Officers arrived to learn from a store employee that four unknown suspects armed with handguns and wearing masks had robbed the business of an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing on foot toward the Durham Street area.  A search of the area was conducted, but the suspect was not located.  No Injuries were reported.  The suspects were all described as Hispanic males about 5’8” to 5’9” tall weighing around 140 lbs to 160lbs.  Anyone with information on this robbery is urged to contact the Clayton Police Department at 919-553-4611 or may call their local 9-1-1 center.  A cash reward will be offered to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Shooting | Wednesday, December 26, 2007
At approximately 9:30 PM Saturday (12-22-07), Clayton Police responded to a report of man being shot in Clayton Estates Mobile Home Park on Lakeview Drive. Officers arrived to find Berrick Cedron Smith (age 30 of Pineland Dr.) suffering from a single gunshot wound.  The victim reported that he had been operating a scooter when he noticed a vehicle following him and flashing headlights as he turned into Clayton Estates from Hwy 42 West.  Mr. Smith said that he stopped because he thought those in the vehicle may have been known to him, but the passenger got out with a gun, so he attempted to ride away on his scooter.  The suspect reportedly shot him in the backside as he rode away.  The victim proceeded on his scooter to the 700 block of Lakeview Drive, where a resident reported the incident.  He was taken by ambulance to Wake Medical Center for treatment of an injury that was determined to be non life-threatening.  Descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle have been uncertain thus far, and no motive for the shooting has been identified.  The Detective Division is continuing this investigation.

Armed Robbery | December 17, 2007
At approximately 11:00 PM Wednesday (12-12-07), Clayton Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the “Kangaroo” convenience store located at 10081 US Hwy 70 West. Officers arrived to learn from a store employee that two suspects armed with handguns had robbed the business of an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes before fleeing on foot toward Clayton Manor Apartments.  Several officers and a police K-9 searched the area, but the suspects were not immediately located.  No injuries were reported. The suspects are described as a black males, both about 6’ tall, 160 to 170 lbs. and possibly in their 20’s.  Both were also said to have been wearing black “hoodies” type jackets.  The Detective Division is continuing this investigation.

POLICE NEED YOUR HELP | December 10, 2007
The Clayton Police Department is investigating a damage to property case occurring at the T and J Mart, 11590 US Hwy. 70 W., Clayton, NC.  Officers were called on Sunday, (12-09-07) at 12:53am to the above location for an alarm activation.  When officers arrived they noticed a small fire and contacted Clayton fire officials.  Upon further investigation it was found that unknown suspects cause minor damage to the business.  At this time there are no leads into this case.  Anyone with information is requested to contact, Detective N. A. Harvey with the Clayton Police Department. (CASE#:  2007-0004950)

Counterfeit Ten Dollar Bills | October 20,2007
Although not yet seen in Clayton, the Selma Police Department is reporting that over the past week their have been at least seven (7) counterfeit ten dollar bills passed at  restaurants and convenience stores in Selma. 

All the counterfeit bills have the same serial number:

CG82744180A
 

Experience has proven that this type of crime often spreads quickly to other areas, so local merchants should carefully inspect $10 bills.  Those passing the fake money are likely depending upon the fact that smaller denominations are usually less carefully scrutinized, and therefore likely to be accepted more readily.
 
All citizens and businesses should be on the lookout for the counterfeit currency.  In Selma, it is believed that at least one of the fake $10 bills was passed by an unwitting individual that had innocently come into possession of the bill.  Anyone who has any information on the counterfeiting or receives one of the fake bills with serial # CG82744180A is asked to immediately to report the incident to local law enforcement.

Telephone Threats and Extortion | September 25, 2007
Last week, a bank inside the Wal-Mart in Lumberton, NC received a threatening phone call advising that there were bombs inside the building and snipers located outside in the parking lot.  The caller requested that the bank employee go to a Western Union to wire an undisclosed amount of money.  The bank did not comply.
 
On the same date, another call was received at the bank inside the Wal-Mart in Smithfield, NC. The caller again made threats of bombs and snipers. This call was disconnected before the request was made to wire money.  The FBI advises that similar incidents have been occurring all over the United States.
 
Should any banks or other businesses receive similar phone calls of this nature, they should try to obtain a phone number for the caller (Caller ID), and should not wire any money that is requested.  9-1-1 should be called immediately to report the threat to law enforcement.

Larcenies of Wallets from Shopping Carts | September 14, 2007
The Clayton Police Department is issuing a crime prevention alert about a recent wave of larcenies that are occurring from shopping carts in grocery stores. Eight such thefts have been reported in the town over the past 2 months.  The majority of the larcenies have occurred during daylight hours when people are shopping.  The victim is often distracted by someone else, while a suspect takes their credit card or wallet from a handbag or while unwatched in the shopping cart.  READ MORE HERE.

Victims have usually not been aware of the thefts until later at the check out counter, when the items are discovered missing.  These sneak thieves are looking for the easiest targets.  Following these tips will help you become more of a difficult target:

• Check the latching device on your purse.  Make sure it’s zipped or closed at all times.
• Never let your purse lie unattended on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart.
• Don’t leave your purse unattended at any time while shopping.
• Don’t be distracted by others, be suspicious of people asking for you help.  Refer them to a store employee.
• Shop with a friend or family member.
• Make sure that if a theft occurs you notify your financial institutions immediately and put a possible fraud/ID theft alert on your checking and credit card accounts.
• Notify a store employee, and call the Police immediately to file a report.

The Clayton Police Department is asking area grocery stores for their cooperation in posting this notice conspicuously in their stores to warn unsuspecting shoppers.

VANDALISM | July 27, 2007
This morning, the Clayton Police Department is investigating 17 reports of vandalism to automobiles.  The vehicles had windows damaged or shattered, and the property damage apparently occurred during the previous late night and early morning hours of today.  The incidents seem to be concentrated in the northeast residential area and the cars were parked at curbside or in private driveways near the road. Investigators believe that the offenders may have been observed by someone and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the persons responsible for these offenses.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Clayton Police Department at 919-553-4611. A cash reward is available for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.  Callers may remain confidential.

ARMED ROBBERY | July 11, 2007
At 10:15 pm on 7-10-07, the Clayton Police Department was called to investigate a report of an armed robbery at the T-Mart convenience store (11590 Hwy 70 West).  The clerk was alone at the time, and reported that a suspect armed with a handgun had robbed the business.  The suspect was described as a black male, 30-35 years of age, about 5’9” tall, weighing approximately 175 lbs, wearing a black long-sleeve jacket-shirt with a hood.  The suspect left the store on foot in an unknown direction.  No one was injured, and an undisclosed sum of currency was taken from the cash register.  Officers searching the area did not immediately locate a suspect.  The investigation is continuing by the Detective Division.

CLAYTON POLICE NEED YOUR HELP | July 9, 2007
On Monday (07/02/07) at approximately 6:00 AM, break-ins were discovered at two downtown businesses in Clayton.   Unknown person(s) had entered Pittman’s Jewelers of 400 E. Main Street by breaking a window and miscellaneous jewelry valued at $30,000 was stolen. Read more here.

Graffiti Vandalism | April 13, 2007
On April 2, 2007, five incidents of graffiti related to gang signs were reported from the Highway 70 underpass to Alta & Clayton Estates Mobile Home Parks.  Also, back in February there were five reports of gang-related spray painting  in the Highway 42 East to West Main Street area. On April 12, 2007 the Clayton Police Department recorded six incidents of graffiti spray-painted from West Stallings Street to the Clayton High School area.  The markings were related to (or imitative of) gang signs.

Those previous markings were all cleaned relatively quickly, but the assistance of the public is needed to identify and charge the vandal(s) who are responsible.  Clayton Police offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.  Please contact Detective J. Linder if you can help: jlinder@townofclaytonnc.org or 919.553.4611.