LAUREL, MS (WDAM)-

(WDAM) Laurel-The 2011 Laurel crime statistics are out, and indicate that all offenses (except for forcible rape) are down.  There were zero criminal homicides in Laure for 2011.  Robbery was down by ten percent, larceny reduced by 11 percent, and assault decreased by a near 50 percent. 

Laurel Police Chief, Tyrone Stewart, credits the decrease in crime to the hard work done by Laurel's fifty-five police officers. 

Three Laurel men were arrested this week by the Laurel Police Department in connection with drug charges.

The Laurel Police Department’s Narcotic Division reported Wednesday that it has arrested James T. Wolverton Jr., 29, of Laurel; Allen Moffett, 30, of Laurel; and Albert Jones, 39, of Laurel in connection to two separate drug incidents.

A Gulfport man with local ties has been charged by the Laurel Police Department in connection with a commercial burglary involving the theft of cigarettes.

Sammie Lee Fairley, 48, whose last known address was Dacetown Area in Ellisville, has been taken into custody in Gulfport in connection with the July 21st burglary of a local convenience store.

Investigator Kim Stewart with the LPD said the Rapid Shell Station located at 205 South 16th Avenue  was burglarized and several cartons of cigarettes were taken.