Convicted Felon Arrested For Possession Of Firearm

By: Press Release | WNCT
Published: March 28, 2008

On March 27, 2008, at 11:30 p.m., New Bern police responded to a call of shots fired at apartment H-76 in the Trent Court housing complex. The victim reported that the father of her grandchildren had arrived at her home, argued with members of her family, and fired a black handgun.

When officers arrived, witnesses told them the suspect had just left the area in a blue Ford Explorer. Police spotted the car and conducted a traffic stop near Pollock and Queen Streets. Officers located Dontae Kareem HICKS, 02/07/1988, in the back seat. He told officers he had been at H-76 Trent Court, where his three children live.

While officers were talking with HICKS, emergency communications received a second call from citizens who reported a gun, matching the description given by the victim, lying in the middle of Jones Street. Officers recovered the weapon.

HICKS, of 4236 Arbor Green Way, was arrested for Discharging a Firearm Within the City Limits and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He was placed in the Craven County jail under a combined $23,888 bond for both charges. He was scheduled to make a first appearance in court this morning at 9 a.m.

Because HICKS is a convicted felon and found in possession of a firearm, he could face additional charges under the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods program aimed at reducing gun crime by career criminals.

The New Bern Police Department is committed to Community Policing. Citizens are encouraged to become a “Partner in Policing,” by reporting suspected illegal activity to the New Bern Police Department’s TIPS line at (252) 636-5034 or the Craven County Crime Stoppers line at 633-5141.