Police seek escaped robber
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on February 23, 2006 1:54 PM
Authorities were looking today for a man who robbed a convenience store on U.S. 70 west and led lawmen on a chase that ended in a wreck on U.S. 117.
Investigators with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said a man entered the Handy Mart at the intersection of U.S. 70 and N.C. 581 about 1 a.m. and bought some candy. He returned a few minutes later, bought more candy and then asked for change to use a telephone. He then showed a handgun and ordered the clerk to give him the money in the cash register.
The robber took an unknown amount of cash, stole a 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass parked at the store and fled east, with officers in pursuit.
The suspect turned onto U.S. 117 and then onto a service road alongside the four-lane. The car wrecked and overturned when it struck the railroad tracks running across the roadway and the car was found overturned. The suspect ran away and investigators were combing the area early today in search of him.
The suspect was described as a black man, about 6 feet, 1 inch tall.
The robber grabbed an unknown amount of cash, stole a 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass and fled east on U.S. 70, the report said, with authorities in pursuit. The suspect turned down south down U.S. 117.
The car, valued at $5,000, is owned by Ruby D. Coleman of Council.