AHOSKIE – A plan to increase police patrols in Ahoskie is producing results.

For the second time in four days, the Ahoskie Police Department has recorded an arrest as a result of those beefed-up patrols.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh reported the March 18 arrest of 24-year-old Alvin Lamont Outlaw of 210 West Alton Street. Outlaw, jailed under a $25,000 secured bond, faces one felony count of possession with intent to sell and deliver crack cocaine. He was also charged with three misdemeanors n simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resist, delay and obstruct.

His first court appearance is March 25.

Fitzhugh said APD Sgt. A. Snape and Officer T. Ruffin were patrolling the area of Hayes and Catherine streets in connection with a series of complaints concerning individuals loitering on the street corner.

Allegedly, Outlaw was in that area at around 4:20 p.m. on March 18. Fitzhugh said his officers inquired of Outlaw did he have any contraband on his person and that Outlaw consented to a search.

“At that time, the subject kept fumbling through his pockets,” Fitzhugh said. “He was twice ordered to stop, but continued to do so.”

Officer Ruffin noticed that Outlaw apparently had something clutched in his fist. Upon being asked what was in his hand, Fitzhugh said that Outlaw stated, “only a little weed (marijuana).”

“At that time, the subject placed what was inside his fist into his mouth,” Fitzhugh said. “He was ordered to spit it out, which he failed to do. A struggle then ensued between my officer and the subject, at which time the subject spit out the substance.”

Fitzhugh said the substance was a white, rock-like item, later confirmed as crack cocaine. That prompted the officers to place Outlaw under arrest. Incident to the arrest, a search of Outlaw’s person revealed 13 hits of crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and packaging material.

“I commend my officers for continuing to patrol problematic areas within town,” Fitzhugh said. “We will continue to be proactive in seeking out those involved in the sale of illegal drugs.”