Week-long Robeson Co. crime spree has ‘bombarded’ agency, sheriff says

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) — A string of violent crimes in Robeson County over the past week — including one homicide — has left deputies and victims rattled and the local detention center ‘beyond capacity,’ Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said.

“The weekend and last few nights have been horrible for many families and even law enforcement. They need your prayers. Officers do this job because they love our county and want to bring justice to families that have been traumatized,” Wilkins posted to official Facebook page on Tuesday night.

The remarks came following arrests tied to several major crimes:

• Chase Titus Locklear, 20, of Lumberton, is charged with murder in connection with the Monday shooting death of Brandigan L. Hunt
• Jamie “Moose” Wallen, 18, of Shannon, is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder for his role in what deputies said was a drive-by shooting . Christian Dial, 24, also of Shannon, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both were arrested Monday.
• Brian M. Lewis, 36, is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge stemming from a March 1 shooting off Highway 710 S. He was arrested April 2 in Dillon County.

Wilkins said he took to his social media page to counteract rumors and criticism from some the community, but didn’t mention any specific exhanges.

“To those who continue to bash me and my staff at every opportunity, come join in on a Citizens Academy, or better yet, come see me for sponsorship for the next upcoming Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at a local community college. I have a few vacancies available, and if you think you have a better way of doing things, we welcome the change some seek,” Wilkins wrote.

“We live in a county that is riddled with crime, and until people understand that it is the actions of the individual that should be addressed and where blame should be placed, I guess blaming law enforcement will continue to be the scapegoat,” Wilkins wrote. “…We will continue our quest to rid this county of crime and grime, one day at a time.”

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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