Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Leland Police Use Nixle Alerts for Construction/Snow Storm

Recent events in our community have proven the effectiveness of the Nixle Alerting System, a free system being used by the the Leland Police Department to better inform the Leland community of emergencies and events that could impact them.

In the beginning of February, subscribers to Nixle were informed of the pending DOT project to widen Village Road from the US 17/74/76 Bridge to South Navassa Road beginning on February 8th and lasting several months.  Though the project is still in the staging phase, Nixle will be used to update the community as to the progress or specific construction as DOT informs the police department.

More recently, on February 12th, as information was obtained that a pending snow event could be expected in Leland, the Leland/Nixle community was sent advisories and alerts as the situation escallated from rain, to a chance of snow to the 3 - 5 inches that fell that Friday Night and into Saturday morning.  These alerts included cautions concerning icing of the bridges and black ice.

Keeping the community informed is one of the primary responsibilities of the Leland Police Department and Nixle is proving itself as an important tool in reaching that goal.

If you are not a subscriber to Nixle, you may subscribe for free at http://local.nixle.com/leland-police-department/.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Routine Patrol Nabs Daytime Burglar


While on routine patrol near the Food Lion on Reed Road, Sgt Jim Otto saw an individual coming from the tree line that appeared to be out of place.  As he got out of his vehicle and approached the individual who informed Sgt Otto that he was homeless, he was asked a series of routine field interview questions, including if he was in possession of a firearm.  When the individual, later identified as Forrest Howard Cobb of 1115 Wellington Avenue in Wilmington, informed Otto he did have a gun in his backpack, Otto was asked and given permission to look in the bag.  What Cobb did not reveal was that he was also in possession of approximately $2900 worth of stolen property he had recently removed from a house in Windsor Park.


Cobb, who has been previously charged with auto larceny in Wilmington, had just broken into 1518 Pine Harbor Drive and removed property which included a $650 laptop, iPod, mobile phones, digital camera, jewelry and a semi-automatic handgun with three magazines and holster.  Cobb gained access by throwing an ornamental turtle located in the yard through the kitchen window located in the back of the house.  Investigation also revealed that Cobb attempted to steal a motorcycle but had to remove it through the kitchen and out the back-door since the garage door was locked.  The motorcycle was recovered behind the residence.


Cobb, who is on probation, was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and damage to property.  He was placed on a $10,000 secure bond.

LPD Assists In Arrest of Murder Fugitive

Leland Police officers assisted members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in arresting Angus "Gus" Louis Richardson, 24, of 3751 Ridgewood Ave in Brookhaven, PA.  Richardson was wanted in reference to a shooting that occurred on December 28th in Chester, PA that resulted in the death of Otis Bullock, 21.


Information was received that Richardson was staying with family members at 106 Hill Lane in Leland.  He was captured without incident.


Richardson is alleged to have fired multiple shotgun rounds at a group of individuals that included Bullock brothers from a parked in a white SUV while the group was standing on a street corner. Otis Bullock was hit in the chest and died of his injuries; Leon Bullock, 19, was shot in the leg and is recovering from the severe injuries.


The incident apparently stems from an argument between Richardson's girlfriend and Bullock's sister, Tanisha Jenifer.  The women, who were friends, got into the argument over the phone on the day of the shooting, when Richardson intervened and threatened Jenifer.  Jenifer, in turn, informed her brothers of the threat who then proceeded with friends to Richardson's residence and confront him about it. It is this confrontation that is believed to have provoked the attack by Richardson on the individuals that resulted in the death of Otis Bullock.


Richardson is currently being held without bond in the New Hanover County Jail pending extradition to Pennsylvania.