WINTON – As a former criminal investigator, Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes is trained in the skill set of taking a complaint and turning it into an arrest.

That fact led to multiple arrests on Dec. 2-3 when Hayes enlisted the service of his officers along with members of other local law enforcement agencies to conduct “Operation First Watch.”

Over that two-day span, officers made eight arrests on various charges and also issued 74 citations.

“This type of operation was on my to-do list since I was sworn in as Sheriff back in September,” said Hayes. “Since that time we have received numerous complaints from our citizens and we wanted to follow up on those complaints.”

Hayes said citizen tips involved crimes of gun violence and the illegal sale of alcohol.

“We appreciate the information we receive from our citizens and ask them to continue to contact us,” Hayes said. “We want our citizens to know that the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office is working hard to protect their safety.”

The eight arrests made over the weekend were for the alleged crimes of possession of Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; driving while license revoked and possession of Schedule III controlled substance; possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of meth precursors; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; an individual wanted for assault inflicting serious bodily injury; and two charges of simple assault.

Of the 74 citations issued, 23 were for motor vehicle license infractions (driving while license revoked, no operators license and failure to carry a license).

The remaining citations were issued for:

(9) misdemeanor drug violations;

(9) vehicle registration violations;

(8) child safety restraint violations;

(7) misdemeanor drug paraphernalia violations;

(5) open alcohol container violations;

(3) speeding violations;

(3) no vehicle insurance violations;

(3) seat belt violations; and

(1) violation each for no vehicle inspection; failing to stop at a stop sign; illegal sale of alcohol; and littering.

Hayes said other than his deputies and officers, participating law enforcement agencies included the Sheriff’s Offices in Gates and Northampton counties, the Ahoskie and Murfreesboro Police Departments, North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

“On behalf of my office, I thank all those agencies that assisted in conducting this operation,” Hayes remarked. “They all handled themselves in a professional manner.”

Hayes added that “Operation First Watch” was a success and more combined efforts between local law enforcement agencies will be forthcoming.