Navassa Police Chief resigns

BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- The chief of police for the town of Navassa has resigned after being charged with DWI.

Ricky Thorpe was arrested last weekend for driving drunk.

The Navassa police chief was stopped by highway patrol just before 5:00 Saturday morning.

The trooper wrote in the arrest report that Thorpe smelled of alcohol and was involved in a collision.

His blood alcohol content was .27.

"I'm disappointed that this happened. I'm understanding too, we as humans make mistakes," said Mayor Eulis Willis.

The police chief has a court date in August to deal with the DWI charge and has lost his license for 30 days.

Tuesday, the town council decided to suspend Thorpe without pay, pending an investigation.

Thorpe handed in his resignation Wednesday.

Reported by Joe Keiley