DWI suspect also wanted for rape, other charges

A suspect arrested over the weekend in Carteret County for driving while impaired is also wanted on rape and other charges in Cumberland County.

Christopher Keith Bethea, 25, of Fayetteville, was arrested Saturday by Beaufort Police Department after Officer Anthony Ginther responded to the area of Second Street to investigate a complaint about an impaired driver, according to a news release issued on the arrest.

Ginther observed a driver who failed to stop at a stop sign and almost collided with another vehicle. There was also a small child standing up in the back seat of the vehicle, police said.

The officer stopped the vehicle, at which time Bethea allegedly failed to produce a driver’s license and tried to give a fictitious name. Bethea also emitted a strong odor of alcohol.

Bethea was arrested for driving while impaired and transported to the Carteret County Jail where an initial intoxilyzer reading registered a 0.21. Bethea refused the second test, police said.

A check of Bethea’s North Carolina driver’s license revealed there were outstanding warrants against him in Cumberland County for first degree kidnapping, second degree rape, crimes against nature and breaking and entering, police said.

He was placed in the county jail under a $150,000 bond for the charges in Cumberland County and an additional $1,500 for the charges in Carteret County.

Bethea is charged in Carteret County with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license, a stop sign violation and having an open container of alcohol.