Police look to ‘America's Most Wanted' for help with case

Lance Martin/Herald Senior Staff Writer

HALIFAX - As the Halifax County Sheriff's Office continues to track down the whereabouts of its Public Enemy No. 1, William George Skolsky, it is in the process of trying to get help from the nationally syndicated TV show “America's Most Wanted.”

Sheriff Jeff Frazier believes the show, which since its debut in 1988 has resulted in the capture of countless fugitives, would be the perfect vehicle for the Skolsky case.

Frazier believes Skolsky, 45, is a dangerous criminal who could be on a cross country trek to Nevada or an Atlantic Seaboard trip to New Jersey following a home invasion and rape in the Scotland Neck area Feb. 28.

Since that time there has been no sign of Skolsky, who is considered to be armed and dangerous. “We're putting together a request to ‘America's Most Wanted' to run it as a crime of interest. We want to let everyone in the United States know how dangerous he is. As far as being a danger per se, any time you take advantage of a situation where you betray the people of their trust, they're dangerous.”

Investigators say Skolsky was befriended by the victim and her family after he was released from prison on second-degree kidnapping and assault charges in December.

The family helped him get a job and find a place to stay after his Dec. 8 release. Less than two months later, the home invasion and rape occurred and Skolsky hasn't been seen since.

Frazier said officers have conducted thorough searches of the Scotland Neck area and Rocky Mount, another of his known hang-outs.

The sheriff's office believes Skolsky has the potential to end up in any community and set up some scenario where he again takes advantage of people who befriend him, Frazier said. “We'll do anything to catch him. He's going to do it again.”

The crime occurred as the victim returned home from walking her dog. She was about to enter the house when Skolsky allegedly brandished a knife and forced her inside.

The victim was cut and sexually assaulted. She was treated at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids. The bedroom was ransacked and a large amount of jewelry was taken.

Skolsky faces charges of first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering.

The sheriff's office also has outstanding warrants for Skolsky's arrest on charges of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and injury to real property from an incident in which his former employer was the victim.

Skolsky is described as a white male standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing between 215 and 220 pounds. He has hazel eyes and a tattoo on his arm.

Residents in Scotland Neck have started a reward fund for information leading to Skolsky's capture. The reward fund, set up through Southern Bank in Scotland Neck, has reached $1,100.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Halifax County Crimestoppers at 583-4444. They may also contact Detective Chuck Hasty at 252-583-8051 or 252-583-8201.