Three stores robbed in one night
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on November 10, 2004 2:04 PM
Gunmen have robbed two convenience stores and a drive-in restaurant in Wayne County, escaping with small amounts of cash, according to reports filed with authorities.
An armed man robbed The Pantry at 1908 U.S. 117 South and two clerks before dawn today, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. The robber got less than $40.
The clerks told deputies that the robber entered the store at 12:36 a.m. and brandished a handgun. At about the same time, a customer walked into the store, and the robber ordered a clerk to wait on him, the report said. Then the robber ordered both clerks to get in a back room.
The robber grabbed $3 from one clerk and took $30 from the store's cash drawer and a $5 phone card, the report said.
As the robber was leaving, the customer saw him jump into a small car and drive off with a black man. The robber was described as black, 5-feet-7 and 150 pounds with a skinny build. He wore dark blue jeans, a hooded black sweatshirt, a mask over his mouth, and red and orange shoes. The other man was not described.
Detectives recovered evidence at the store.
Earlier, two masked, armed men held up Mary's Drive-In at 612 W. Ash St. at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Goldsboro police said.
One robber pointed a handgun at the owner and emptied the main cash drawer of an undetermined amount of money, the report said. The other man discovered that the drive-through cash drawer was empty.
The gunman was described as being black, in his 20s, 6-feet-5 and 195 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He wore all black clothing -- a hat, coat and pants. The other man was not described.
Meanwhile, two Hispanic men also entered the La Aguasteca store at 517 N.C. 55 East, near Mount Olive, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. One displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk, the deputy's report said.
The clerk handed over about $180, and the robbers also stole 75 Hispanic music compact discs, valued at $978. The robbers then taped the clerk's hands and drove off, deputies said.
The gunman was described as being about 26 years old, 5-feet-9 and 125 pounds with short black hair. He wore a black coat and a white T-shirt. The other robber was described as being about 22, 5-feet-4 and 175 pounds. He wore a gray sweater and a black toboggan.
Anyone with information on any of the robberies was asked to call Goldsboro police at 705-6572, the Sheriff's Office at 731-1481 or Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Callers may remain anonymous, and they may be eligible for cash rewards, if their information leads to an arrest.