Greensboro residents may be interested to hear of a developing story involving the use of a Pitt County detective's service revolver in a drug holdup. The gun was purportedly used in a drug robbery just two days after the detective reported the weapon missing.

The robbery occurred on Nov. 30 about 5 p.m., when three men allegedly held up a suspected drug dealer. Police say that they arrested the men, but it appears now that they are not the only ones who will need a criminal defense.

The three men face felony charges for allegedly using the detective's gun in the robbery, but the detective's own son is suspected of stealing and selling the weapon. He is already in jail for allegedly selling stolen property to a local pawn shop, though he has not yet been charged with the theft of his father's gun. Police have also accused the man of stealing an assault rifle from another police officer's vehicle.

Greensboro residents will have to wait to see what charges will be filed as a result of the police investigation, though it appears that the detective's son faces a difficult legal battle as he confronts the allegations against him. In cases like this one that received considerable media attention, it is important to remember that by law the presumption of innocence is afforded to anyone accused of a crime, regardless of the alleged crime or any previous convictions. Indeed, the man in this case, along the others accused of the drug holdup, will do well to focus their attention on preparing a meaningful and convincing defense. Penalties for theft, burglary and drug crimes could include jail time and a substantial period of supervised probation, in addition to fines. To determine whether mitigating factors are at work, a careful analysis of the circumstances of the arrests may prove ultimately beneficial for the accused individuals.

Source: wcti12.com, "Detective's Son Investigated After Service Weapon Used In Drug Holdup," Mike Valerio, Dec. 2, 2011