5 Critical Updates On The Robeson County Sheriff's Office: Behind The Front Lines Of NC's Toughest Law Enforcement Challenges
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office (RCSO), a pivotal law enforcement agency in North Carolina, continues to navigate a complex landscape of public safety challenges, marked by both high-profile criminal investigations and proactive community engagement. As of December 2025, the office is actively managing a volatile mix of serious crime—including a recent mass shooting and a fatal stolen ambulance crash—while simultaneously deploying innovative programs to address the deep-rooted opioid epidemic and reduce overall violence.
The RCSO’s recent actions, often under the direct guidance of Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, reflect a dual-focus strategy: aggressive enforcement against major offenders and a robust commitment to substance abuse diversion and crime prevention initiatives. This article provides a deep dive into the most critical, up-to-the-minute developments shaping law enforcement in Robeson County right now.
The Leadership and Profile of Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins
The operational direction and philosophy of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office are inextricably linked to its current leader, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. His extensive career and commitment to community-focused law enforcement set the tone for the entire agency, focusing on improving relationships between deputies, first responders, and the citizens of Robeson County.
- Full Name: Burnis Wilkins
- Current Role: Sheriff of Robeson County, North Carolina
- Sworn Service: Over 40 years as a sworn law enforcement officer.
- Early Career: Began his career in law enforcement as a police officer with the Lumberton Police Department in 1981.
- RCSO Tenure: Joined the Robeson County Sheriff's Office in 1982.
- Agency Experience: Has served with city, county, state, and federal agencies throughout his career, bringing a broad range of experience to the Sheriff's Office.
- Core Mission: Focused on improving working relationships between all law enforcement personnel, 1st Responders, and citizens.
Unpacking the Latest High-Profile Investigations and Major Arrests (December 2025)
The end of 2025 has been particularly demanding for the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, with deputies responding to several major incidents that have garnered regional and national attention. These cases highlight the intensity of the criminal challenges facing the county.
Fatal Stolen Ambulance Crash and Maxton Shooting (December 2025)
In a tragic and high-stakes incident in mid-December 2025, the RCSO was thrust into a major investigation following a deadly sequence of events in Maxton. The incident involved a man who allegedly wrecked a stolen ambulance, which resulted in the death of another driver. Deputies quickly moved to secure the scene and take the accused shooter into custody. This complex case involved multiple felony charges and required immediate coordination across different law enforcement units to manage the chaotic scene and apprehend the suspect.
RCSO’s Role in Federal Cyberstalking Indictment
The reach of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office extends beyond county lines, as demonstrated by its critical involvement in a high-profile federal case. As recently as December 18, 2025, the RCSO worked alongside the FBI and other agencies to secure the indictment of a Myrtle Beach Pastor on cyberstalking charges related to his wife’s death. This collaborative effort underscores the RCSO’s capacity to handle sensitive, multi-jurisdictional investigations involving complex digital evidence and serious felony charges.
Responding to Mass Violence and Nuisance Abatement
The Sheriff’s Office has been actively investigating a mass shooting that tragically left two people dead and 11 injured, an incident that roiled the community despite a recent drop in the county’s overall homicide rate. Furthermore, Sheriff Wilkins personally requested a final judgment in a nuisance abatement case against a local establishment, Kalee's Oasis, due to ongoing criminal violations and acts of violence. The successful judgment is a significant step in the RCSO’s strategy to use civil action to shut down chronic sources of crime that destabilize neighborhoods.
Proactive Programs and Community-Focused Initiatives
Beyond responding to major crimes, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office is heavily invested in forward-thinking programs designed to prevent crime and address the root causes of addiction and social issues. These initiatives demonstrate a shift toward a more holistic, community-based approach to public safety.
The S.A.F.E. Program and the Fentanyl Fight
One of the most significant recent developments is the launch of the Substance Abuse Freedom & Education (S.A.F.E.) program. S.A.F.E. is a direct follow-up to the former Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program and is a cornerstone of the county's collaborative effort to fight the opioid epidemic. This initiative focuses on diverting individuals struggling with substance abuse away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, rather than incarceration.
Sheriff Wilkins has publicly hailed the new fentanyl act as a "major victory" for Robeson County, signaling the RCSO’s commitment to using all available legislative and programmatic tools to combat the flow of dangerous drugs. The RCSO has also secured grant funding to expand its diversion programs, a crucial step given the high volume of drug-related arrests in the region.
Community Impact Team (CIT) and Traffic Unit Enhancements
The Community Impact Team (CIT) is the Sheriff’s Office’s dedicated unit for proactive crime prevention. These highly trained deputies employ a strategic approach to identify and prevent criminal activity before it escalates, focusing on high-crime areas and community intelligence.
Furthermore, the RCSO Traffic Unit received a grant in the current fiscal year (FY 2025-2026) to fund activity hours for deputies to conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement. This focus is not just on citations, but on reducing dangerous driving and intercepting criminal activity often linked to traffic violations, such as drug and gun offenses.
Transparency and Public Access to Information
In an effort to enhance transparency and provide citizens with actionable information, the RCSO maintains a robust online presence, including the use of a Police2Citizen Tool. This tool allows the public to access a daily bulletin and search for recent arrests, complete with photos, charges, and bond information. This commitment to open data allows the community to stay informed about local law enforcement activities and recent criminal justice outcomes.
Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords
The ongoing work of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office touches upon numerous critical entities and law enforcement concepts, establishing a strong topical authority in the areas of crime reduction and community safety.
- Key Entities: Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, Lumberton Police Department, North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), Community Impact Team (CIT), Substance Abuse Freedom & Education (S.A.F.E.), Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Kalee's Oasis, NCSBI, NCDOT, Traffic Unit, Community Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Initiative, Opioid Settlement, Maxton, Red Springs.
- LSI Keywords/Concepts: Fentanyl Act, Opioid Epidemic, Crime Prevention, Undercover Drug Operations, Detention Officer Obstruction, Police2Citizen Tool, Inmate Search, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement, Multi-Jurisdictional Investigations, Nuisance Abatement.
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office remains at the forefront of law enforcement in the region, continually adapting its strategies to meet the evolving demands of a diverse and challenging county. From executing major arrests in complex, high-stakes incidents to expanding crucial diversion and community engagement programs like S.A.F.E., the RCSO is demonstrating a comprehensive approach to public safety as 2025 concludes and 2026 begins.
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