A 22-year-old Raleigh man was taken to the Wake County jail today, charged in connection with a string of armed robberies in the area. Police believe he participated in more than six robberies over a two week period. According to police records, the charges against him include five counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, six counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of attempted armed robbery. All are felonies.
Police continue to look for two other suspects. In most of the incidents, officials say three men were involved. Officials in Cary reported two similar crimes committed by just two men.
Witnesses described the robbers as black men, about 6 feet tall, clad in “bulky jackets.” Police said the clothing made it difficult for witnesses to determine the culprits’ body types. They wore bandanas to cover their faces.
This is not the first arrest for the suspect in custody. At age 17, he was charged with armed robbery. The suspect was released from prison just prior to these robberies. According to court records, he had been sentenced to five to six months for conspiracy to commit larceny from a person. He was on probation when he was arrested today.
Only one of the robberies netted more than $500 for the perpetrators, and that was the first. The fast food restaurant reported handing over $519 to the robbers. The robbery of a gas station made headlines when the suspects made off with $1.
Source: News & Observer, “Raleigh police make arrest in string of armed robberies,” Thomasi McDonald, Dec. 16, 2011