Former Ranlo officer charged with stalking woman, police say

CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Former Ranlo Reserve Officer Dell Garren has been charged with stalking a woman, and it allegedly happened over months in Cherryville, according to police.

The allegations claim Garren was captured on video walking around the woman’s home at night and looking into her car after she repeatedly told him not to return.

Garren is also accused of following the woman in her car and making several unwanted phone calls, according to arrest warrants.

Police said Garren had just taken an oath as a reserve officer from the Ranlo Police Department. When the allegations came to light, he had already received his badge but not his uniform.

Ranlo investigators then told Garren that they were launching an internal investigation and he resigned minutes later, according to police.

“You’re disheartened, and you’re disappointed to hear something like that. But hopefully, what is reassuring is that we immediately took swift action. And within 45 minutes, all of the things that we could have possibly handled, we did,” said Town Manager Charlie Hansen.

Bea Cote, founder of IMPACT Family Violence Services, has worked with women stalked by law enforcement officers.

“All of it is just absolutely terrifying because that person has already crossed a line,” Cote said.

She said an accuser can feel trapped when an officer crosses the line.

“Who does the victim turn them in to?” she said. “You are basically turning them into their own job.”

The victim, who wasn’t identified, reported the stalking to the Cherryville Police Department.

Garren worked for that police department as a firearms trainer before going to the Ranlo Police Department.

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