Undercover work leads to arrest

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 22, 2006

VIDALIA &8212; Vidalia police arrested a man Tuesday on a number of charges after weeks of undercover work, officials said.

Police arrested Patrick T. McGraw, 21, 605 Martin Luther King Drive, on charges of distribution of controlled dangerous substances, illegal possession of stolen firearms and being principal to an armed robbery, Police Chief Billy Hammers said.

In October, a house was robbed, and a number of guns were stolen at the time, Hammers said. Police believe the guns McGraw had were from that burglary, he said.

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In August, McGraw allegedly robbed two men in a car, Hammers said.

Sgt. Charles Hall, a narcotics investigator, said a combined effort of the Vidalia Police Department and Concordia Parish Sheriff&8217;s Office led to McGraw&8217;s arrest.

While conducting undercover work, investigators caught McGraw on film distributing controlled substances, Hall said.

McGraw was not in possession of narcotics or firearms when he was arrested, Hall said.

&8220;Other warrants will be forthcoming,&8221; Hammers said Tuesday.

The task force has worked on this case for a number of weeks, Hammers said.

&8220;You&8217;ve got to get the tapes together, make sure the face matches the name, make sure all the Ts are crossed and Is are dotted,&8221; he said.

Hammers said he did not know when McGraw would be arraigned, but he must be arraigned within 72 hours of being arrested, excluding holidays and weekends.

&8220;If not (today), it will be Monday,&8221; Hammers said.

McGraw is being held without bond at the Vidalia Police Department.