Full Notification

On August 20, 2014, at approximately 5:00pm, Hope Mills Police Detectives executed a search warrant in the 5500 block of Muscat Road just outside Hope Mills. The basis for the search warrant was related to the break-ins that occurred on August 13, 2014 in the Steeplechase subdivision. Following the arrest of suspect Max Golden Johnson for those break-ins, Hope Mills Police Detectives developed information that Mr. Johnson had been delivering stolen goods to James Willie Gamble, 59 of the 5500 block of Muscat Road. During the course of their search, Detectives recovered a large amount of property stolen from the victims of the Steeplechase break-ins as well as property that had been stolen from other victims in crimes unrelated to the Steeplechase break-ins. Detectives also seized illegal firearms during the search warrant.

Mr. Gamble was arrested at the scene and charged with:

Felony Possession of Stolen Goods
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Receiving Stolen Goods.

Mr. Gamble, a convicted sex offender, was also served with an outstanding warrant for his arrest for Failure to Pay Child Support. Two other individuals, Joshua Vik, 29 of the 5800 block of Hunting Ridge Road in Hope Mills, and Steven Bass Mcrae, 51, of the 5300 block of Parkton Road were also arrested at the scene for outstanding warrants for offenses unrelated to the search warrant. Mr. Gamble is currently being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center for his charges under a $30,000.00 bond. This investigation is ongoing and more charges against Mr. Gamble and other involved individuals are likely.