Public record
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 25, 2008 1:45 PM
Armed robbery
Charles Allen Casteen, 36, of Pine Ridge Road, Clinton, was charged by Warsaw police with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, larceny, possession of stolen property, fleeing to elude arrest, possession of cocaine and several traffic violations.
The charges stemmed from the robbery or attempted robbery of three convenience stores in the Warsaw vicinity on Friday night.
At about 9:30 p.m. a man robbed the Kangaroo Express on N.C. 24 West, using used a screwdriver as a weapon to threaten the clerk.
Two hours later a robber used a weapon described as an ice pick to try to rob the Friendly Mart on Kenansville Highway. The clerk refused to turn over any money and the robber fled, driving the same 1995 gray Ford Ranger that the first robber was seen leaving in.
At 11:38, a robber entered the C-Check convenience store on N.C. 24 west, displayed an ice-pick type of weapon and demanded money. The clerk refused and the robber left with only a 20-ounce soft drink.
The thief was seen leaving by Warsaw Police Officer Jay Smith, who pursued him. He received help from other police officers, and deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff's Office. The chase led into Sampson County, then back into Duplin, where the Ranger crashed on Jim Sauls Road in the Bowden community.
Casteen was arrested shortly after midnight Saturday and placed in the Duplin County Jail under $200,000 bond.
Casteen had been released from prison only a few weeks ago after being convicted of robbing a convenience store in January 2007.